’Tis the season to be jolly, but for many, the holidays can be a season of sadness and depression. The stress to please and absence of loved ones is a one-two punch to emotional health during the holidays. Finding and maintaining joy involves nurturing both your mental and physical health which is often overlooked during the busy holiday season.

Coping with holiday sadness and loss is something Dr. Steven Hotze, founder and CEO of the Hotze Health & Wellness Center, understands only too well.

“A lot of people have lost loved ones, the holidays can be really sad for a lot of people,” Hotze said. “We lost our son in 1992 and Christmas Day can be sad because we miss David. We are glad we had him for the 14 years we had him, but it can be sad.”

Coping with holiday stress and sadness requires a mental and physical refresh and Hotze suggests taking the time to make a literal inventory of what you’re thankful for.

“Write down all the things you are thankful for and thank God for all the good things in your life.” Hotze said. “It will give you a good attitude and a grateful heart.”

Keep life’s positives such as family, friends, pets and other blessings front-and-center throughout the holidays to combat the weight of holiday sadness.

Of course, staying positive during the holidays is more than mind-over-matter.

More than 15 million Americans struggle with depression and those blue feelings are often connected to hypothyroidism. Getting to the bottom of a hormone imbalance is crucial to filling up your emotional cup. Since the thyroid hormone is responsible for running the body’s cellular metabolism and energy production, when it’s off-balance, depression can be a side effect, along with anxiety, mood swings, brain fog and poor concentration.

Simple and straightforward testing and evaluation at the Hotze Health & Wellness Center will determine if hypothyroidism is at the core of depression and stress. Treatment with natural thyroid hormones can eliminate hypothyroidism, lifting the veil of depression.

Houstonians have the benefit of living in a warm, sunny climate, but even the Gulf Coast can be gray and dreary during the winter, so taking Vitamin D is another way to naturally add some life back into you throughout the holidays and beyond.

The greatest gift to receive is the benefit of good health, both emotionally and physically. Trade stress and sadness for serenity and joy this holiday season and all the seasons of life to come.

To find out more about making your holidays healthy and happy, contact the Hotze Health & Wellness Center at 281-698-8698.