Brought to you by an e-mail from our psych people

Preventing Holiday Blues

To help prevent holiday blues, follow these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Psychological Association and the National Mental Health Association.

If you are experiencing holiday blues:
Establish realistic goals and expectations for the holiday season. Attempting to cure all past problems with a “perfect” Christmas is a formula for disappointment. The holidays do not prevent sadness, loneliness, nor heal past hurts.
Limit your drinking.
Do not feel obligated to feel festive. Accept your feelings. Holidays do bring up a lot of feelings, not always happy ones. If you have recently experienced a tragedy, divorce or romantic break-up, let a caring person know your needs. A cup of coffee with a dear friend is good medicine.
To relieve holiday stress, know your spending limit and stick to it. Enjoy the holiday activities that are free, such as driving around looking at Christmas decorations, window-shopping, or attending free musical programs around your community.

If someone you know is experiencing the holiday blues:
Try to involve that person in holiday activities, but don’t be forceful.
Be a good listener. If people express suicidal thoughts or feel depressed, hopeless or worthless, be supportive. Let them know that you are there for them and will help them seek professional help.
Be aware that holidays can be difficult for people, especially when reality doesn’t measure up to their expectations. Help them establish realistic expectations.

Holiday blues can affect both men and women, young and old. Factors contributing to the blues include increased stress and fatigue, unrealistic expectations, too much commercialization, and the inability to be with one’s family. Even “happy times” can register on the Rohr Stress Scale. Common stress reactions include headaches, excessive drinking, over or under eating and difficulty sleeping. A post-holiday let down, resulting from emotional disappointments during the holiday months, as well as, physical reactions can cause holiday blues to continue into the New Year.



enjoy

11/28/2007 2:16:39 PM

Quote :

"Limit your drinking."

that's why you have the blues

11/28/2007 2:18:13 PM

Quote :

"Enjoy the holiday activities that are free, such as driving around looking at Christmas decorations"

haha yeah, right - $3.20/gallon gas and a big ol' V8 =/= free

11/28/2007 2:19:52 PM

get a harmonica and wail your blues away

11/28/2007 2:22:05 PM

8==8

11/28/2007 2:26:21 PM

Quote :

"LimitIncrease your drinking."

11/28/2007 2:29:27 PM