| ome, "it's the most wonderful time of the year," | | | | Leave the Past Behind You. Dwelling on the "good |
| filled with family get-togethers, good food and | | | | old days" can bring up feelings of loss or wanting |
| time to sit back and reflect on all there is to be | | | | for things to be how they used to be. Embrace |
| thankful for. But for many, the holiday season | | | | changes and find a way to enjoy the season as it |
| brings with it stress, anxiety, sadness and despair, | | | | is now. Starting a new tradition is a good first |
| leading to a full-blown case of the holiday blues. | | | | step. |
| "A lot of people around the holidays want to have | | | | Donate Your Time. Spending your time |
| everything perfect. When it's not, it causes them | | | | volunteering for others in need will help you share |
| stress and anxiety," says James Conti, a | | | | the holiday spirit and make you feel warm inside. |
| psychologist with the Memorial Health Care | | | | Many people who volunteer report feeling a |
| System in Hollywood, Florida. | | | | heightened sense of well-being. |
| In fact, the "season to be jolly" is anything but for | | | | Try Some Creative, No-Cost Activities. Engaging |
| millions of Americans. "People get burned out and | | | | in simple holiday activities is a great way to enjoy |
| wish the holidays were over," says Dr. Jeffrey | | | | the season. Try driving around to look at holiday |
| Brantley, director of the Mindfulness-Based Stress | | | | decorations, caroling, baking cookies, decorating a |
| Reduction Program at Duke University's Center | | | | gingerbread house, going for a brisk walk in a |
| for Integrative Medicine. | | | | forest preserve or making a snowman. |
| The holiday blues can be brought on by a variety | | | | Exercise as Much as Possible. "Don't worry about |
| of factors, according to the National Mental Health | | | | sticking to a regular regimen," says Howard |
| Association, including: | | | | Feldman, a clinical psychologist at Northwestern |
| Stress | | | | Memorial Hospital Center for Integrative Medicine |
| Fatigue | | | | in Chicago. "Just get anything in. That can be |
| Unrealistic expectations | | | | helpful and it's better than not doing it at all." |
| Over-commercialization | | | | Avoid Overspending. According to a poll by the |
| Financial constraints | | | | American Psychological Association, money issues |
| Inability to be with one's family and friends | | | | are the top cause of stress for Americans around |
| The demands of shopping, parties, family reunions | | | | the holiday season. Try to make homemade gifts, |
| and houseguests | | | | give gifts of time or draw names so you only |
| Holiday blues can encompass more than feelings | | | | give a gift to one or two people. |
| of stress and sadness. Loneliness, uncertainty | | | | Remember What Is Important. It's easy to lose |
| about the future, self-evaluation and reflection on | | | | site of the real meaning of the holiday season and |
| past failures often surface, leading to symptoms | | | | instead get caught up in the more material |
| like headaches and difficulty sleeping and reactions | | | | aspects. Focus your efforts on family, friends and |
| such as excessive drinking and over-eating. | | | | other values that are important to you personally. |
| As a result, a full one in five Americans worry | | | | Keep Time for Yourself. Having time to relax is |
| that holiday stress could affect their physical | | | | essential to a happy holiday. Don't overlook this |
| health, says the American Psychological | | | | one! |
| Association. | | | | When Holiday Blues Become More Serious |
| Keeping Your Spirits Bright | | | | Feeling blue or anxious around and after the |
| If you know you have a tendency to feel blue | | | | holidays is something many people face. But if the |
| around the holiday season (or after January 1, | | | | feelings persist or become overwhelming, you |
| when all the excitement ends), these tips can help | | | | may be suffering from clinical depression. |
| you ward off stress and keep your spirits high. | | | | "Mild or temporary depressive moods, sadness or |
| Set Realistic Expectations. As the saying goes, | | | | fatigue don't usually require professional attention," |
| "Rome wasn't built in a day." Neither will be your | | | | said Mitchel Kling, M.D., associate professor of |
| "perfect" holiday. Try not to set all of your | | | | psychiatry and medicine at the University of |
| expectations on just one day, but rather try to | | | | Maryland School of Medicine. "However, if |
| experience the holidays a little at a time over the | | | | depressive symptoms last for weeks, and are |
| entire season. Don't be afraid to say no, and be | | | | accompanied by other symptoms such as |
| liberal in delegating tasks to friends and family | | | | difficulty enjoying activities that are usually |
| who want to help. Taking on too much is | | | | enjoyable, it may be helpful to consult with a |
| guaranteed to send you down the path of | | | | medical professional. |
| anxiety, not gaiety. | | | | |