Help Holiday Stress and Depression

Help For The Holidays Part Two

Holiday season. Perfection. Non stop activity: Shopping for the perfect gift. Parties. Family gathering. Social obligations. Eating. Drinking. More Shopping. Santa pictures. Traveling. Delays. Delayed flights. But perfection for the holiday season expected. Television says so. TV tells us about Scrooge. And who wants a Scrooge. No one wants Scrooge. Hurry get that new gadget. Thanks Giving sale. Black Friday sale. Big Christmas sale.  Buy now. Financial stress.  Stress and Depression rise higher and higher.  Add to holiday stress. Routine disruption. Overeating. Increase drinking.  Lack of sleep. And don’t forget loneliness. The Elderly are victims and so are Veterans. Let me share ways to prevent holiday stress and depression according to Mayo Clinic…

1.      Acknowledge your feelings

2.      Reach out and make a difference for someone.

3.      Be realistic

4.      Set aside Differences

5.      Stick to a budget

6.      Plan ahead

7.      Learn to say no

8.      Don’t abandon healthy habits

9.      Take a breath

1.   Seek professional;l help if you need it

Take control. Lower back pain, Neck pain. Your health will suffer. Enjoy the holidays from Thanksgiving through Christmas and New Years. Tell yourself you are in control. Remind yourself often. Take steps to prevent holiday stress. Holiday blues. Holiday depression. Recognize triggers. Positive thinking. You can do this!

There’s a disorder for holiday stress and depression. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Suicide prevention hotline: 1-800-273-8255

P.S. Website available in Spanish and German.

References:

1.      7 Strategies for a Happy Holiday Season, Abigail Brenner M.D., Psychology Today

2.      Stress, depression and the holidays: Tips for coping, Mayo Clinic Staff, Mayo Clinic, Sept 16, 2017

3.      Holiday Depression & Stress, Mental Health America of Wisconsin