Ho! Ho! Ho!....Season's Greetings....Merry Christmas.....these are the expected sentiments at this time of year. But what if you can't muster up a "seasonal" greeting, anything "merry", or even come close to a "jolly" laugh? What if in fact you are struggling with feelings of increased sadness and or anxiety? The holidays can often heightened these draining feelings. The culprit for these intense feelings is often tied to the stress created by unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves to achieve the "perfect" holiday experience; commercialism, or tension and unresolved issues among family members and/or a recent death of a loved one. In addition, your normal coping skills aren't enough to manage the increased stress. If any of this sounds familiar you may be experiencing the "holiday blues" or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The symptoms you experience may mimic clinical depression:
• Ongoing feelings of sadness, anxiety, irritability or a feeling of "emptiness"
• Feelings of hopelessness, guilt or helplessness
• Difficulty thinking, concentration or making decisions
• Trouble sleeping; over sleeping
• Decreased energy; fatigue
• Loss of interest in hobbies or activities that were once pleasurable
One key difference between holiday blues and clinical depression is that the symptoms related to holiday blues fade within 2 weeks. Symptoms of depression persist for an extended period of time and may have no association with the time of the year, holidays or a particular event.
No matter which diagnosis you fall under there is hope. Interesting enough many answers are revealed in God's word- The Bible. The Lord clearly states His comfort and protection for us when we are hurting.
"The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalms 34:18
"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."
Psalms 9:9
Here are a few coping strategies to aid you in overcoming the "Holiday Blues." Strive to implement one or all of these during the next few weeks.
1. Exam your expectations of the holidays; adjust, minimize and eliminate where you can. Revisit your commitments next year you may be in a better place emotionally and able to resume
2. Set a budget on holiday spending; stick to it. The cost of a gift is not the goal in giving....giving comes from the heart...not the wallet
3. Exercise and maintain a balanced diet; this time of year offers many temptations of sweets and overeating, be aware and set limits for yourself. Physical activity is proven to improve your mood; walk, stretch in front of the TV, have the family join in for an exercise video or "dance with the stars"...you might discover a hidden talent or at least enjoy few laughs
4. Reach out to others; this may seem like added stress...but truly, the best medicine can often be to show love and kindness to someone else. This allows you to switch the focus from your struggles and take a break from your sadness in an effort to bring joy to someone else.
One life principle that is continually stressed in the Bible is to "love your neighbor." I am convinced that God offers us this principle more for our own personal joy and development than for others. Showing love to others can be as simple as preparing baked goods, greeting cards, hot cocoa mix or any other simple gift. Larger acts of kindness can involve volunteering time at a nursing home, a shelter, or organizing a neighborhood social. How you demonstrate love to others is not as important as actually loving; 1 Corinthians 13:8 - "Love never fails."
Fortunately, getting "the blues" is temporary. An increased awareness of where and how we are spending our time, energy and money maybe enough to guide you through this challenging time of year. If you find that the "blues" feel more like depression and lingers beyond a few weeks then consider counseling and or a comprehensive physical exam to rule out any physical illnesses.
The Lord intended this time of year to be joyous, after all, Christmas does exist as a celebration of the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. May you find the joy the Lord desires for you during this holiday season as you give the gift of love to others and rejoice in God's greatest gift to us; His only son....Jesus Christ.
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