Tag: gratitude

by Alexis Rosendo

It shouldn’t surprise you at all to know that depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts increase significantly during the November and December holiday seasons. Yes — amidst the family pictures, winter cheer and gratitude prayers are an entire host of mental health symptoms threatening to overtake us. There are many reasons for this, among which are heightened interactions with extended family members, the loneliness of not having anyone with whom to celebrate, or the disappointment of ruined meals, cancelled flights and failed plans.

Whatever your holiday looks like, we are all united in the effort to make them a time of cherishing what is most important with the folks who are most important (or in honor of these folks) while ending the year on the most positive note possible.

Here are some universal tips for making that happen. Feel free to adjust to fit your specific need, situation, and ability. Happy holidays!

TIPS FOR AVOIDING THE HOLIDAY BLUES

1. Choose peace. Peace is often the first to go whenever the distressing symptoms are on the way. Before we truly sink into the pit of anxiety, loneliness, or sadness, we experience the sensation of being devoid of peace, which only gets worse as the pit gets deeper. Choosing peace means making the decisions that give you the best outcome for peace within yourself (in your heart, mind, spirit and body) as well as peace with others. For example, if going to Thanksgiving dinner at grandma’s means you get into your yearly argument with your cousin over politics while your mom is policing your food to ensure you lose weight, maybe decline that invitation and plan to see/speak to grandma, mom and cousin on separate, less tense, occasions. If traveling by plane for Christmas with the in-laws means that your anxiety is sky-high for 3 days leading up to the flight and that you’ll be sick for 3 days after being in the airport, maybe travel by car, even if that means you can only stay 1 day instead of 2. Choose peace for your mind, body, soul and spirit with the decisions you make.
2. Say what needs to be said. Advocate, advocate, advocate. Set boundaries, be honest, speak from the heart, resolve conflicts, say “no”, offer your best perspective, share your life with others, speak up when something offends, and actually answer when asked what you would like or prefer. Speak authentically. Don’t allow yourself to become bottled up with all the suggestions, comments, and responses you wish you had said but didn’t out of fear, insecurity or overthinking. There is freedom and satisfaction in having a voice and in making your presence known, wherever you are.
3. Find balance between celebration and relaxation. For some, celebration means indulging in food, alcohol, social events, and entertainment. This is great fun, and a highlight of the year. To ensure you don’t crash hard from ‘too much of a good thing’, pace yourself, take breaks, and seek balance and moderation. Find a way to prioritize celebration and relaxation, whether by alternating days between attending events and staying in, or by splitting the day so that you counter a busy evening with a lazy morning. Monitor (or ask trusted loved ones to monitor) your quantity of consumption and scheduling to make sure you don’t overdo it or stretch yourself too thin. Rest when you feel tired, give space for recuperation.
4. Pursue gratitude. We find what we seek; this is true. If you set your mind on finding something, anything, to be grateful for, you will find it — guaranteed. Gratitude works naturally to counteract distressing symptoms, especially sadness and anxiety. Gratitude reminds you that you are not alone, not forgotten, not in despair, and not without options. Gratitude breeds hope, which looks towards the future earnestly and with excitement. Ending a year thankful and appreciative AND beginning a new year with hope and excitement is the best possible outcome for the holiday season.

Choosing peace means making the decisions that give you the best outcome for peace within yourself (in your heart, mind, spirit and body) as well as peace with others.

The holiday blues CAN be overcome, but (as you can see) it takes a lot of intentionality, planning, and self awareness. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a loved one for accountability in applying these tips, or to reach out for professional help if the tips aren’t working and you feel yourself slipping into the aforementioned pit. The holidays are hard, and there is no shame in needing support. Find the resources you need, and don’t stop until you achieve the goals you have for yourself. You can do it.

Onward and upward!