Part one of this four part series on how to cope with the holiday blues provided a definition of the holiday blues and coping strategies for the emotional aspect of your life. Part two provided coping strategies in the social and family areas of your life. Part three provides a brief definition of holiday blues and coping strategies for physical and financial stress relief.
What is the holiday blues?
The holiday blues is feelings of disappointment, sadness, stress and being overwhelmed related to holiday experiences. These feelings are triggered at this time of the year when longing for loved ones increases, when yearning for the way things use to be increases, when unrealistic expectations take over, when isolation from family and friends seems like a good coping strategy, and when the pressure to feel merry becomes too much.
Physical
Limit or avoid alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant and will increase the intensity of any of the negative symptoms of the holiday blues you may be feeling.
Limit sweets. Too many sweets may cause a sugar crash resulting in fatigue and lost of interest in activities.
Eat right. Maintain a regular eating schedule and include fruits and vegetables, lots of water and reasonable portions. Avoid too much tasting while cooking. Avoid over indulging at holiday party buffet tables. Both limiting sweets and eating balanced meals will help keep off holiday weight which may cause holiday blues to linger well into the New Year.
Rest. Maintain a regular sleep schedule. Lack of rest results in poor decision-making, and irritability.
Relax. Take time for yourself, away from the hustle and bustle of the mall, the grocery store, and the holiday parties. Have a quiet dinner with a friend, take a nap, get a massage, read a book, etc. Relaxing will keep you from feeling overwhelmed.
Exercise. Keep a regular exercise schedule to reduce stress, maintain a good attitude and keep the holiday weight down.
Get sunlight. Have some outside activity even if it's cold. Sunlight stimulates vitamin D synthesis in the body resulting in modulation of the immune system, and decreases susceptibility to depression. At least 30 minutes three times a week should leave you in good spirits.
Finances
Stick to your budget. Don't over spend just because it's the holidays. Be realistic with your spending. Don't set yourself up for debt to be paid over the next several months when the holiday is just one day. Thanksgiving is just one of 365 days. Christmas is just one of 365 days over which you have to manage your finances.
Gift your talents. Do you bake? Bake your gifts. Do you knit? Knit your gifts. Do you have free time? Give a gift certificate pledging your time for a specific activity with a special person. These gifts, with your personal touch, will have a much greater impact than anything store-bought.
Don't feel guilty. If you can't afford the latest gadget, you can't afford it. That's the truth of the matter so why feel guilty? You know and they know a money tree didn't grow in your yard between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Keeping expectations realistic, and expressing those expectations to others will reduce guilty feelings.
Keeping yourself physically active and fit during the holidays is sure way to reduce stress in all areas of your life. Being real with yourself, and others, about your financial situation will also reduce your stress. Parts one through three of this series provided practical coping strategies for dealing with the holiday blues. Part four discusses how to get help for yourself or others if the coping strategies don't provide enough relief or if the symptoms are indicative of depression.
No comments:
Post a Comment