Holiday Depression

Holidays are supposed to be the "happiest time of the year" yet some people find themselves depressed, anxious and lonelier than ever. Holidays can highlight what is lacking within and lacking in relationships, so it behooves us to plan ahead and become proactive in beating the "holiday blues." 1. Plan ahead Take good care of yourself. Even though it is time to GIVE to others, don't forget to GIVE to yourself. 2. Avoid family conflict The conflicts aren't going away any time soon, so you might as well avoid entering into emotionally heated discussions. If you must talk about delicate issues, use my PEACEFUL HEALING DIALOGUE (available at www.DrjJdyWTF.com under Forms) If you know there are going to be conflicts, prepare a neutral response, such as, "Let's talk about that another time," or, "I can see how you would feel that way. 3. Give up on being perfect Don't bother trying to find the perfect gift. The biggest gift you can give another is YOU: Your time, your caring, your presence. The happiest people are with their loved ones. 4. Learn to grieve If you are mourning a loved one, it's a good time to talk about your feelings or reach out to support groups. Remember to not REPRESS your feelings. What is REPRESSED is then DEPRESSED and turns into DEPRESSION. 5. Schedule some sleep Holiday activities easily can interfere with your sleep schedule. But studies have shown there is a link between sleep loss and depression. Be extra careful about getting enough sleep. 8 hours are best, and routine is best. 6. Get help Don't go it alone. If you need help, ASK, reach out. Interconnect (see Panel 7 of my MIND MAP at www.DrjJdyWTF.com) 7. Work out Exercise—one of the first activities to get lost in the holiday shuffle—should be placed high on your to-do list. The more stress we are under, the more irritated our mood. 8. Get Sunlight or Light Exposure Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, can be treated by long wal