I'm back! I wish I could say my recent writing absence was because I was off on some wild adventure, but the real reason behind it was that I succumbed to a case of the blues. Blame it on some recent life events, on the dark days here in the Pacific Northwest, or the stresses of the holiday season. Whatever it is, I am finding myself increasingly moody and grim. Not good.I know I am not the only person feeling bogged down this time of the year. Even if you're not depressed, you're not doubt dealing with all the stress and demands of making this holiday season memorable for all the right reasons. So, in order to help lighten our spirits and wash away an increasing sense of ennui, here are some tips for dealing with the holiday blues.
- Seek support. If you feel isolated or down, seek out family members and friends. It's so easy to pull away from people and social commitments when you feel bad, but maintaining connections with others and getting away from yourself is essential. Also, enlist support for organizing holiday gatherings, as well as meal preparation and cleanup. You don't have to go it alone. Don't be a martyr.
- Stick to a budget. Before you go shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend on gifts and other items. Then be sure to stick to your budget. If you don't, you could feel anxious and tense for months afterward as you struggle to pay the bills.
- Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make one big food--shopping trip. That'll help prevent a last-minute scramble to buy forgotten ingredients--and you'll have time to make another pie, if the first one's a flop. Expect travel delays, especially if you're flying.
- Learn to say no. Believe it or not, people will understand if you can't do certain projects or activities. If you say yes only to what you really want to do, you'll avoid feeling resentful, bitter and overwhelmed. If it's really not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
- Don't abandon healthy habits. Don't let the holidays become a dietary free-for-all. Some indulgence is OK, but overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don't go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks. Continue to get plenty of sleep and schedule time for physical activity.
- Take time for yourself. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Steal away to a quiet place, even if it's to the bathroom for a few moments of solitude. Take a walk at night and stargaze. Listen to soothing music. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.
- Rethink resolutions. Resolutions can set you up for failure if they're unrealistic. Don't resolve to change your whole life to make up for past excess. Instead, try to return to basic, healthy lifestyle routines. Set smaller, more specific goals with a reasonable time frame. Choose only those resolutions that help you feel valuable and that provide more than only fleeting moments of happiness.
- Forget about perfection. Holiday TV specials are filled with happy endings. But in real life, people don't usually resolve problems within an hour or two. Something always comes up. You may get stuck late at the office and miss your daughter's school play, your sister may dredge up an old argument, your partner may burn the cookies, and your mother may criticize how you're raising the kids. All in the same day. Accept imperfections in yourself and in others.
- Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for several weeks, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.
