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The holidays can be a time of great joy, but they also cause great stress.
Financial demands, physical demands, and the demands of families, relationships
and other obligations can take their toll and diminish the usual pleasure from
the season. If you have experienced a loss recently, such as a death, or have a
loved one absent from your lives, perhaps on deployment, the season can be
particularly gloomy and even trigger depression.
What can you do to help yourself during this time?
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Don’t expect the holiday season to be perfect.
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Set spending limits and stick to them. If you are feeling down, spending money
in the long run is not a good remedy to cheer oneself up.
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If you have suffered a loss lately or have a loved one away from home,
dampening your holiday spirit, be honest with other people about the way you
feel. They will respect your feelings if you express them and understand why
you might decline certain invitations.
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Create a space and time for yourself during your get-togethers. Take a walk
outside or just find a quite corner in the house. Run to the store for
something you “need” if that is the only way to get a few minutes alone.
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Continue healthy eating and drinking habits. Alcohol is a depressant and can
make a sad, down mood worse and can interrupt your natural sleep cycle.
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Plan your shopping and cooking in advance so that you don’t do it all in a rush
and become completely exhausted. Share the preparations with others as much as
possible.
If someone offers to help, let them. Let them wash pots, bring a side dish, or
help wrap presents.
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Talk to someone. Seek support and affirmation of how your dreams and wishes for
the season aren’t always in concert with reality. Once you share some of the
holiday mishaps you may find they are funny in hindsight. A good listener and a
good laugh are great stress relievers.
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Get physical. Keep up your exercise regimen or at least go out for a walk.
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If you continue to feel down, blue, and sad, and your mood is interfering with
your usual activities, consider a professional evaluation. Sometimes holiday
blues are more than just a transitory thing and become clinical depression.
Year-round screening sites and information about clinical depression can be
accessed at www.MentalHealthScreening.org
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If you are a military family member or a service member (from any branch) take
a free, anonymous mental health self assessment at
www.MilitaryMentalHealth.org.
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Screening for Mental Health, Inc.
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