As Christmas and the New Year are right around the corner, everyone has started to make preparations for the holiday season. The holidays are typically a joyous time for most, but others begin to struggle with sadness and even depression. It is important to be aware of the stressors and your specific triggers during this time, so that you can focus on your mental and physical health. Here are a few things to take in to consideration:
- Increased stress
This can come from financial burdens from shopping and getting gifts, increased crowds and family get-togethers. - Fatigue
The worries of making sure everything is done for Christmas or New Year’s will take precedence over going to the gym or eating well. The change in weather can also weaken your immune system. - Family Related Issues
Spending excessive time with relatives can be overwhelming at times. Some families only see their relatives during the holidays and other families do not spend the holidays with anyone. Both extremes can be a trigger to emotional disturbance. This is also a time that we miss our deceased friends and relatives more. - Expectations
This is a very exciting time of year and some people will go over the top with buying gifts or decorating, but this may lead to let-downs. If things don’t go exactly as planned, we will feel disappointed.
Here are a few ways to try to remain positive during the season:
Avoid over-scheduling yourself- It’s ok to tell people no.
Lower your expectations-Don’t strive for someone else’s perfection.
Make a budget and stick to it-The price of a gift is not equal to how much you love someone!
Spread your celebrations out- Don’t cram everything in just 1 or 2 weeks
Get as much sleep as you can! – It’s ok to take time just for you!
http://www.cg.cfpsa.ca/cg-pc/Petawawa/EN/HealthPrograms/HealthPromotion/Documents/w12/Stayingpositive.pdf
http://www.symptomfind.com/health/causes-of-holiday-depression/
