Surviving Those Holiday Blues

Not all shared in the celebration and joy associated with the holiday season. Many people feel unhappy and stressed regarding purchase requests for gifts, spending large sums of money to assist the parties and family gatherings, and entertaining houseguests. It is not uncommon to respond to such attacks with excessive drinking and eating, sleeping and physical problems. The holiday blues are a common result. If you have reactions like these during the holidays, they are not alone. Let's look at what makes the holiday blues and what you can do about them. What Causes Holiday Blues? The fear of disappointing others. Some fear disappointing their relatives during the holidays. Despite the fact that CA can not afford to spend much money on gifts, some people feel compelled to come with a gift of luxury who spent more than they can afford. Wait donations to improve relations. Provide a good WO not necessarily strengthen friendships or romantic relationships. When your gifts do not produce the reaction he expected, you feel disappointed in May. Anniversary reactions. If someone important to you left and death for one last vacation, be depressed May as the anniversary approaches. Bad memories. For some families, holidays are a time of chaos and confusion. This is particularly true in families where people have substance abuse problems or dysfunctional ways of relating to others. If that is true to his family in recent years, you can always the memory of disappointment and anxiety that comes with the holidays. Although things May be better now, it is difficult to forget the time when the failures were dashed by substance abuse and dysfunctional family. It may be sad. People who live in the northern states in May suffer from depression during the winter because of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD results from fewer hours of sunlight as the days shorten in winter. Strategies to cope with the holiday blues While the holiday blues are usually temporary, these ideas can help make this year's holiday experience more enjoyable and less stressful: Be realistic. Expects that the holiday will not solve all the problems earlier. The forced enjoy your holiday can not avoid pain or loneliness. Drink less alcohol. Although alcohol consumption provides a feeling of well-being, is a depressant and never do anything better. Give yourself permission not to feel happy. Accept what you feel. If you have recently experienced a loss, they do not expect you to the AC on a happy face. Let others how you feel and what you need. They have a budget and stick to it. Look for holiday activities that are free, such as driving around to see the decorations. Window-shopping without buying anything. Look for ways to show people that you care without spending a lot. Be honest. Express your feelings with those around you in a constructive, open and honest. If you need to refer to someone who has a problem, start with phrases that I feel. Find sources of support. More info on the mental health centers, churches and synagogues. Many of them are support groups, workshops and other activities to help people deal with the holiday blues. Give yourself special attention. Schedule time to relax and pamper you. Taking a warm bath or spend an evening with a good book. Setting limits and priorities. Be realistic about what they will be able to do. Make a list of things to do to help you organize your priorities. Of your time. If you are in trouble because he did not see his family, to volunteer in a hospital or a food bank. Volunteer can help increase your spirit by turning his attention to people who are less fortunate than you. Exercise. The exercise has a positive effect on depression because it increases levels of serotonin. Try to get some form of exercise at least twice a week. After the holidays For some, holiday blues continue into the new year. This is often caused by leftover feelings of disappointment during the holidays, and are physically exhausted. The blues also happen for some people since the beginning of a new year is a time of reflection, which can produce anxiety. Is something more than the Blues on vacation? Clinical depression is more than just feeling sad for a few weeks. Symptoms usually include changes in appetite and sleep, have less interest in daily activities, difficulty concentrating, and a general sense of despair Ness. Clinical depression requires professional treatment. If you are concerned that a friend or relative May be suffering from something more than the holiday blues, you should express your concern. If the person who expresses ideas less value Ness or suicidal, it is important to seek the advice of a qualified mental health professional. Garrett Coan is a therapist, coach and psychotherapist. His two Northern New Jersey offices are available for people living in the municipality of Bergen, Essex, Passaic County, Rockland County and Manhattan. Garrett also offers online and telephone advice and services to advise those living at a distance. He can be contacted at 201-303-4303 or http://www.creativecounselors.com http://www.creativecounselors.com.