Why the holidays can feel harder and how to spot seasonal depression
Garrett Hottle
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) The Coachella Valley is known for sunshine, palm trees, and postcard-perfect winters. But doctors say even here, the holidays can quietly take a toll on mental health.
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression linked to shorter daylight hours, changes in routine, and heightened emotional expectations during the winter months. According to Carolyn Lopez, PhD with Desert Oasis Healthcare, those effects don’t disappear just because the weather is warm.
“Even in our sunny valley, we can have seasonal depression because we’re still in a winter cycle,” Lopez said. She explained that surprisingly, many people in the desert are also low in vitamin D3, which can contribute to fatigue and mood changes, especially as people age.
Carolyn Lopez, PhD with Desert Oasis Healthcare, explains how seasonal depression can look different depending on who’s experiencing it.(KESQ)
Lopez also says seasonal depression can look different depending on who’s experiencing it. Children may seem withdrawn, irritable, or unmotivated. Adults may struggle with sleep, appetite, or relationships. Couples can feel added strain when holiday expectations don’t match reality.
“For women, depression often shows up as tearfulness or withdrawal,” Lopez said. “Men, on the other hand, may become more irritable or short-tempered and not even realize depression is driving it.”
The impact can be especially strong for seniors, who may already be dealing with grief, limited mobility, or fewer social connections. Mental health experts say loneliness during Christmas and the holidays, can amplify symptoms that are often dismissed
But Lopez emphasizes that action. even small steps, can make a world of a difference.
“Make a phone call. Take a walk. Listen to music that makes you feel good,” she said. “Volunteering, donating, or serving a meal can shift your focus outward and help break that cycle of isolation.”
The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, CVRM, will serve a Christmas breakfast and dinner on Christmas day, open to both residents and members of the public.(KESQ)
That sense of connection is on full display this Christmas at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, where staff and volunteers are turning the holiday into a shared experience.
The mission will serve a Christmas breakfast from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by a Christmas dinner from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., welcoming both residents and members of the public.
“Working here on Christmas Day is about family,” said Scott Wolf, the mission’s development director. “Whether it’s your immediate family or the family you find here, it’s the same. We value our clients, our volunteers, and our donors all of them.”
Coachella Valley Rescue Mission Development Director Scott Wolf, explains Christmas day at the mission is about one thig – family.(KESQ)
For Jacqueline Marrott, a resident at the mission, coming up on her 1 year anniversary with CVRM says the holidays no longer feel empty.
Jacqueline Marrott is a resident at the mission, coming up on her 1 year anniversary with CVRM. (KESQ)
“You’re homeless, but it doesn’t feel like it,” Marrott said. “They have all the resources here. They’ve changed many lives.”
One recent graduate of the missions program credits the organization with helping her rebuild her future.
“They helped me change my life,” she said. “I got my baby back, housing, a job and I’m sober and living a great life.”
Laura, a recent graduate of CVRM, explains how the work they’re doing at the mission is changing lives.(KESQ)
Doctors say stories like those underscore an important message: connection doesn’t have to be complicated.
“One decision to show up. to volunteer, to reach out, to ask for help, can change everything,” Lopez said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression this holiday season, mental health professionals encourage reaching out to a trusted person or seeking professional support.
For more information on Desert Oasis Healthcare and the services they provide, visit this link.
For more info on CVRM including the services they offer and how to help, visit this link.