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Make a plan to get through the Holiday Season with a smile!
I thought I was safe this year, but about a week ago the Holiday Blues hit me. There’s nothing I’m depressed about, but I have to force myself to do just about everything. Trying to write a post has been so difficult that I just couldn’t get one started this week. Finally I decided to write about how this ‘horrible malady’ and how to take control of it. Depression and feeling lonely during the Holidays is something that affects a lot of people.
Senior citizens, the elderly and single people are especially at risk as they live alone or, in the case of the elderly, live in a place that is not their home. I spent time today looking into ‘SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder),’ which affects a lot of people during the winter months. Last year I had to take mega doses of Vitamin D because the level was so low in my body. Now I take it daily.
So now, even while writing this, finding some method to get back to living is very important. Depression can make a person feel as f they have no control about what is happening to them. Therefore, it is important to develop a plan to regain your power.
1. Discuss how your feel with your doctor. Ask your doctor about checking your Vitamin D level.
2. Get outside and take in some sunshine or sit by a sunny window.
3. Do some form of exercise. It doesn’t have to be much. Even a small amount will help release endorphins which help relieve Depression and Stress.
4. Get out of the house. Enjoy the Holiday decorations and lights.
5. Make arrangements to meet a friend. If this is not possible, go to a coffee shop, café, the mall or a bookstore. There are usually people in these places who are willing to strike up a conversation.
6. Do something special for someone else. The act of giving has its own reward.
7. Do something special for myself. Go to a movie, take a walk in the sunshine, roam the mall and watch the people around you. Notice the excited faces of the children who are anticipating Santa Claus.
Getting past the Holiday Blues is important to our emotional and mental health. Let’s take our power back and say, “Goodbye” to depression and stress during this Holiday Season.
Join me so we can find our way back to our ‘happy place’ in life and enjoy this special time of the year. Please share with me how you are managing, and I’ll do the same. Please share with me and my readers any other ways you have used, or are using, to overcome the Holiday Blues. Thank you for visiting my site and I welcome our thoughts, ideas, questions and any stories your want to share.
Till next time, may Light make your path clear, may Wisdom be your guide and may Love lead you in this journey called “Life”.
© 2011 – 2012, Sally. All rights reserved.
Twitter: abhinavn286gmail.com
says:
Really your seven steps are very helpful for control them. Thank you so much for sharing these seven points.
Spend time with your life partner. It is way you can keep yourself stress free. Yes I agree point no 5 and point no 7. Spending sometime with your near and dear ones would be a enjoyable one.
Hi,
Thanks for your comment. At this time, I don’t have a life partner, but I do have some awesome friends. My family is very supportive and loving as well. Please come again. Sall
I had depression for 20 years and Christmas was always the worst time – I travel interstate to spend time with family at Christmas and the stress of travel and staying in someone elses house would always set off a bout of depression. I found it really important to try and keep up my usual routines – exercise, healthy diet etc.
Jane most recent post is Protein Breakfast Ideas to Help Prevent Depression
Hi Jane,
Yes, the Holidays can be such a stressful time for a lot of people. I know, for myself, there seem to be a lot of tragedy that happened during this time of year.
One year I just told myself that I wasn’t going to let the depression get me down, and I was going to find a way to enjoy this season. I was able to do that and ever since I denied myself the indulgence to wallow in my depression, I have really had a much nicer time.
The depression comes, but I can usually catch it and cut it off by taking some time to figure out what has triggered it. Then I make a plan to get over it! I love that we all have the choice to change and make things better for ourselves! Happy New Year, Jane! Sally
Twitter: moolamatrix
says:
Good post about staying happy during the holidays. Since it’s winter time, I think the most important thing to go outside when the sun is high in the sky for a least 15 minutes to an hour. I find when I do this I feel more happy during the winter months. I am more of a summer and sun type person.
Donna most recent post is Best Business Ideas
Hi Donna,
So happy to have your stop by my site. I agree it is so wise to spend some time outside each day. I am working harder at trying to do this. I’m like you in that I love the summer and sun. Please visit again soon. Sally
Twitter: estavamorioka
says:
Im so glad that you posted this because as a single person I am affected by the holiday season differently every year. Although, I know that I am not the only person that goes through this, you often feel like you’re the only person in the world to experience loneliness. Great post and THANKS!
npurvy most recent post is Event // DC Dec 15 :: Mya & NBA’s Lou Williams + Eric Roberson Perform @ Park at 14th
Hi Npurvy,
Thanks so much for visiting my site and leaving a comment. It is difficult being single, especially if you live away from the rest of the family. However, I’m finding that this Holiday Season is a little easier as I have been using the steps above to help me, and they have worked. I wish you a Wonderful and Happy Holiday Season! Sally
Twitter: syerodriguez
says:
I definitely get how the holidays are the most depressing for people who are alone. I have a wife and 2 kids so I’m not so alone.
I think staying busy helps to keep the depression away. I know Vitamin D also helps on many levels and I’ve been using that since I discovered how many people are deficient.
I think the advice given above about doing something special for someone was very good.
I recommend getting around some people you like. I bet there are some people you’ve not seen in enough that would love to catch up with you.
Always remember how important you are and how much of a difference your life makes; even if you don’t see it all the time.
Wishing you a lot of happiness.
Sye Rodriguez most recent post is syerodriguez wrote a new post, See Earthing Work
Hello Sye,
Thank you so much. I have been getting better and meeting my ‘demons’ head-on. I have set up some things to do with some of my friends. Though we live an hour apart, we are meeting somewhere in the middle and enjoying ourselves.
I also have been helping my son in CA get gifts for his bother and sister so he wouldn’t have to spend money on postage. It is always nice to feel needed. I have also contacted some people I know who are either alone or going through a rough time.
Each year the Holiday Season gets easier and better. Thank you for you great comments. I pray you and your family have a wonderful Holiday Season. Sally
Very good advices indeed! Doing something for an other person does really work, it makes you feel so good actually. I recently discovered this, so I can speak by experience.
Anna most recent post is lumineers london
Hi Anna,
So good to have your visit my site and leave a comment. Yes, doing something for another person really helps to elevate one’s spirit and take away the loneliness. Sally
It’s funny how I can never feel the spirit of Christmas nowadays. I don’t get the warm inexplicably bittersweet feeling anymore. When I was a kid I get that even when I am just watching the Christmas edition of my favorite cartoon show. I think it is because I am too busy worrying over things like work and money, now when I think about the upcoming Holidays I think – Oh no! Expenses! I wish I could just enjoy the Holidays again like when I was a kid, unencumbered by adult problems.
Reese most recent post is Ghost of Christmas 2011 Could Haunt Average American for 4 Years
Hi Reese,
Thank you for visiting my site and leaving a comment. I hate that you no longer have the joy of the Holidays like you did in the past. However, you are not alone. I think that recapturing what we had in the past, is pretty hard to do. The only way I have been able to really enjoy the Holidays is through the eyes of my children when they were young.
My life was pretty hard as a kid and Christmas time had some pretty bad memories for me as an adult. Yest, watching my children during the Holidays and seeing how fun Christmas was for them, helped me to get over my dislike of the Holidays.
I also made a conscious decision to figure out why I was getting depressed if I happened to experience it It was difficulty at first, but each year it gets easier and I have found ways (like mentioned above) to work my way out of the ‘blues’ and find meaning for me. I have called and helped several people this Season and this really helps me. Please try one or all of the above steps and see if they help. Some of the readers have also left good suggestions.
Feel free to contact anytime. I pray this Holiday Season will be your first one where you are able to move past the depression and enjoy each day. Sally
Twitter: Solarbenefits
says:
I think i will act like Santa Claus for my nephew this year. It will release the joy on my nephew’s face even though i’m not so old as Santa is
)
That sounds wonderful, Radu! I wish a Wonderful Holiday Season for you and your family! Sally
Twitter: richescorner
says:
I read about SAD a lot. I try and spend time with family and as you say get out and exercise. Also, I try not to get caught up in the holiday spending spree as that tends to depress me when I worry about my next credit card bill. Other than that, I find that keeping busy and spending time with family does wonders for keeping my spirits up.
richard most recent post is Learning Forex with eToro
Hi Richard,
You are so right about spending time with family and friends and how this helps during the Holidays. I spend a whole day with one of my children this past weekend, and it lifted my spirits so much. I think the hugs and smiles from the ones I love are so therapeutic.
I try to buy Christmas gifts throughout the year so that when Christmas arrives, I’m pretty well set for everyone. There are usually a couple of things to buy, but most of the time, I have what I need to give as gifts. Plus, I spread the cost out throughout the year so it is not a lot of outgoing in December.
Thank you for visiting and for your intuitive comment. I wish you and your family a wonderful Holiday Season! Sally