With the holidays coming up, it will be important for folks to plan ahead to avoid an exacerbation of symptoms that could push them over the edge to intolerable.
For many people, the holidays can magnify feelings of sadness, self-reflection, loneliness, and anxiety. Sadness is a truly personal feeling. What makes one person feel sad may not affect another person. Typical sources of holiday sadness include:
-stress
-fatigue
-unrealistic expectations
-over-commercialization
-financial stress
-the inability to be with one's family and friends.
Balancing the demands of shopping, parties, family obligations, and house guests while trying to recover from a chronic illness may contribute to feelings of being overwhelmed and increased tension.
People who do not view themselves as depressed may develop stress responses, such as:
-headaces
-excessive drinking
-over-eating
-insomnia
The following tips may help:
Make realistic expectations for the holiday season.
Set realistic goals for yourself.
Pace yourself. Do not take on more responsibilities than you can handle.
Get enough rest.
Reduce caffeine.
Make a list and prioritize the important activities. This can help make holiday tasks more manageable.
Be realistic about what you can and cannot do.
Minimize and simplify.
Do not put all your energy into just one day (i.e., Thanksgiving Day, New Year's Eve). The holiday cheer can be spread from one holiday event to the next.
Live and enjoy the present.
Look to the future with optimism.
Don't set yourself up for disappointment and sadness by comparing today with the good old days of the past.
If you are lonely, reach out to others.
Find holiday activities that are free and indoors, such as looking at holiday decorations; going window shopping without buying and watching the winter weather whether it's a snowflake, or a raindrop.
Limit your drinking, since excessive drinking will only increase your feelings of depression.
Try something new. Celebrate the holidays in a new way.
Spend time with supportive and caring people.
Reach out and make new friends.
Make time to contact a long lost friend or relative and spread some holiday cheer.
Make time for yourself!
Let others share the responsibilities of holiday tasks.
Keep track of your holiday spending. Over-spending can lead to depression when the bills arrive after the holidays are over. Extra bills with little budget to pay them can lead to further stress and depression.
