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The holiday season often brings two unwanted guests, stress and depression. With a dizzying number of holiday demands peace and joy can be hard to find
Much of the stress of dealing with the holidays derives from strained relationships. Here are five crucial concerns for surviving and thriving during the holiday season with your most important relationships intact.
1. Keep it real. The holidays don't have to be perfect. It's wonderful when you can make your holidays a time to remember, but you don't have to do this each and every year. Especially if last year was a once-in-a-lifetime event for you, remember that you don't have to live up to any standard other than treating your loved ones with kindness, respect, and courtesy. But it's also realistic to know that small children, and adults who act like small children, may protest if they don't get everything they have come to expect. If you value the relationship, you can survive the protests.
2. Acknowledge your feelings. If you are feeling lousy about the holidays, be honest with yourself. Know that you may not feel great during the holidays. On the other hand, try not to dwell on your losses and disappointments. Be open to the possibility that your real enjoyment of the holiday may come from people and events you least expect. And while it is important to acknowledge your feelings to yourself, the holidays are a bad time to unload on unsuspecting friends and family. They may not be able to respond to you compassionately even though it is a season about love and peace.
3. Seek professional help if you need it. If your feelings about the holidays are just too much for you to bear, do not be hesitant to call a hotline, schedule an appointment with a counselor, or to visit clergy. They are there to help you deal with difficult issues. Especially if your burdens are so great that you are considering suicide, it may be essential to get professional help with major depression or even the day to day problems that come with various kinds of losses. It's your holiday, too. Don't be afraid to share your concerns with a caring and confidential religious or mental health professional.
4. Get out, and reach out. If you are spending the holidays alone, don't spend them at home. Go to cultural events, religious events, parades, fireworks displays, and public celebrations. Even if the food is not the best, visit community holiday meals. Better, invite someone who is in a similar situation to an event in a safe setting to share time during the holidays.
5. Don't be afraid to say “no.” Know your limits. If you are being asked to do more than you can do or to spend more than you can spend, don't be afraid to say no. It is far better to endure someone else's offense than to stew inside.
1. Keep it real. The holidays don't have to be perfect. It's wonderful when you can make your holidays a time to remember, but you don't have to do this each and every year. Especially if last year was a once-in-a-lifetime event for you, remember that you don't have to live up to any standard other than treating your loved ones with kindness, respect, and courtesy. But it's also realistic to know that small children, and adults who act like small children, may protest if they don't get everything they have come to expect. If you value the relationship, you can survive the protests.
2. Acknowledge your feelings. If you are feeling lousy about the holidays, be honest with yourself. Know that you may not feel great during the holidays. On the other hand, try not to dwell on your losses and disappointments. Be open to the possibility that your real enjoyment of the holiday may come from people and events you least expect. And while it is important to acknowledge your feelings to yourself, the holidays are a bad time to unload on unsuspecting friends and family. They may not be able to respond to you compassionately even though it is a season about love and peace.
3. Seek professional help if you need it. If your feelings about the holidays are just too much for you to bear, do not be hesitant to call a hotline, schedule an appointment with a counselor, or to visit clergy. They are there to help you deal with difficult issues. Especially if your burdens are so great that you are considering suicide, it may be essential to get professional help with major depression or even the day to day problems that come with various kinds of losses. It's your holiday, too. Don't be afraid to share your concerns with a caring and confidential religious or mental health professional.
4. Get out, and reach out. If you are spending the holidays alone, don't spend them at home. Go to cultural events, religious events, parades, fireworks displays, and public celebrations. Even if the food is not the best, visit community holiday meals. Better, invite someone who is in a similar situation to an event in a safe setting to share time during the holidays.
5. Don't be afraid to say “no.” Know your limits. If you are being asked to do more than you can do or to spend more than you can spend, don't be afraid to say no. It is far better to endure someone else's offense than to stew inside.
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- Hairon N. How Christmas festivities and pressures can damage health and well being. Nurs Times. 2008 Dec 16-2009 Jan 12,104(50-51):33-4.