It’s that time again: the lights, the hustle and bustle even as the nights are extra long and the days feel extra cold. The holidays are frequently referred to as the “happiest time of the year.” There is essentially a common conception that the time between Thanksgiving and New Years should be filled with family, friends, and festive activities. But this isn’t a reality for everyone, and if you aren’t feeling very festive, you certainly aren’t alone. Although some folks genuinely love the early winter months, others simply tolerate them, and then there are those who downright dread the holidays. In fact, there are a number of valid reasons to explain why your spirits aren’t quite where you’d like them to be. And recognizing or even discussing difficulties can alleviate the discomfort you and others are understandably experiencing.

Your alarm goes off in the middle of your deep sleep. You think, “What time is it? Where is the sun?” as you fumble to find your phone in the dark. It’s exactly 6:30 am, the time you set your alarm, and you feel as if you only slept for a mere handful of hours. Feeling groggy and hazy, you stretch under the covers and think to yourself if you can snooze for another five minutes…maybe ten. You can’t muster up the energy to get to where to have to be – let alone even dress for the bitter weather. Any task has become menial, time-consuming, and energy-draining. You’re wishing for it to be summer again, feeling the wind chills through the cracks of your window. You pull back the comforter over your head to escape the morning for just a few extra minutes. It’s that time of year again: seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as seasonal depression, is in full swing.

“Getting out” or leaving a relationship is not as easy as it sounds, especially in an abusive relationship. It is important to remember that individuals of domestic violence do not need to experience physical or sexual abuse. Abuse can be masked by other forms, such as financial or psychological/emotional harm.

When it comes to domestic violence, most of us automatically think of physical abuse. But domestic violence—or a problematic pattern of behavior used to gain power over a partner, spouse, or intimate family member—can take multiple forms. Extreme manipulation, control, or disparagement can be just as harmful as physical abuse, yet these behaviors are often harder to identify. This is especially concerning given that psychological abuse can easily escalate into a situation that results in physical injuries as well. Unfortunately, many don’t realize they are in or have been in an emotionally abusive relationship. So educating yourself about the less obvious warning signs is critical when it comes to protecting yourself and others from domestic violence.

Sometimes, the signs aren’t always obvious. Or maybe the signs are actually there, but you find yourself minimizing or denying the abuse. Abuse takes many forms, and they’re not always easy to spot. This article identifies key red flags to look for if you believe you’re in an abusive relationship and how you can get help.

You may typically feel nervous when meeting a new potential romantic partner. You want to put your best foot forward and explore that newfound romantic chemistry with another person. But when you think about the dating scene, it’s full of opportunities for awkward conversations and unknown factors. How can you calm the dating jitters? Whether you’re living with an anxiety disorder or not, there are steps you can take to calm your nerves when navigating the dating scene.

Do you regularly feel down? Do you spend far more time in bed than you’d like to? Perhaps your professional and personal life have been suffering. Yet, you’ve been unable to make a change. It’s like you’re dragging yourself through each day. You feel stuck. If any of this sounds familiar, you’re possibly experiencing symptoms of depression. Depression strips away your vitality, leaving you unable to show up in life the way you’d like to.

Relationships with our family are often the relationships we value most, though they may also be the most difficult relationships to maintain. Maybe you have an aunt who routinely crosses the line or an in-law relative that treats you in a way that you would not prefer to be treated. If a family member’s intrusive, rude, or careless behavior is causing you emotional distress, it’s a sign to put some healthy boundaries in place.

Are you in a relationship, but finding it difficult to muster up the energy and enthusiasm that you’d like to have? If you’re experiencing depression, the simplest ways of showing up in your relationship might feel too difficult. In fact, in the midst of a depressive episode, you can easily feel hopeless, lethargic, and unmotivated, making it difficult to meet your partner’s, emotional, physical, and logistical needs.

What if you found yourself in a different location not knowing how you got there? Or you couldn’t remember what you said or did in the last few hours or even days? What if you feel as if you’re watching yourself from the outside? What if the world feels like a dream or a blur? If these experiences sound familiar, you may be experiencing dissociation. Dissociation disconnects you from the present, yourself, and the world around you. How can you tell if you’re experiencing dissociative symptoms?

Everyone’s experience of dissociation is different, but there are some tell-tale signs along with ways of coping with dissociation that are discussed in this post.