Yesterday afternoon I found out about a tragedy that affected our local high school and students both past and present. My heart was so heavy for this young girls parents and family. I so badly wanted to help in some way......so today I am posting some tips from the Mayo clinic for dealing with holiday stress and depression. If this applies to you today, do not hesitate to reach out to someone and talk with them about what you are feeling. If you are the one that someone chooses to reach out to, please take the time to listen with an open mind, and do not judge, let them know they are not alone. Here is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number if anyone needs it....1-800-273-8255
Stress, depression and the holidays: Tips for coping
- Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you
has recently died or you can't be with loved ones, realize that it's
normal to feel sadness and grief. It's OK to take time to cry or express
your feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's
the holiday season.
- Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out
community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and
companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way
to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.
- Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect
or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and
rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to
creating new ones. For example, if your adult children can't come to
your house, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing
pictures, emails or videos.
- Set aside differences. Try to accept family members
and friends as they are, even if they don't live up to all of your
expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for
discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when
something goes awry. Chances are they're feeling the effects of holiday
stress and depression, too.
- Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food
shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to
your budget. Don't try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Try
these alternatives: Donate to a charity in someone's name, give homemade
gifts or start a family gift exchange.
- Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping,
baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then
make your shopping list. That'll help prevent last-minute scrambling to
buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep
and cleanup.
- Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no
can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues
will understand if you can't participate in every project or activity.
If it's not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime,
try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost
time.
- Don't abandon healthy habits. Don't let the
holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress
and guilt. Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don't
go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks. Continue to get plenty of
sleep and physical activity.
- Take a breather. Make some time for yourself.
Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you
enough to handle everything you need to do. Take a walk at night and
stargaze. Listen to soothing music. Find something that reduces stress
by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.
- Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your
best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or
anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and
hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a
while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.
And as always I am glad to listen to you via email if that's what it takes...you can email me directly at frank_n_regina@yahoo.com
Regina
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