The holiday season can be filled with parties and activities
to celebrate with family and friends. For others it can be a time of sadness,
loneliness and anxiety about an uncertain future and economy. During our
lifetime we have all experienced melancholy feelings during the holidays with
the loss of family members, divorce, arguments and the stress of over extending
your budget. Holiday depression can evolve from the stress and disappointment
of unrealistic expectations that were envisioned.
Holiday stress
One in ten American adults have depression that is
genetically based and treated with medication. Sadness is a deep personal
feeling. What makes one person sad won’t affect another person. Holiday sadness
can be attributed to built-up expectations, disappointments from previous
holidays, stress or fatigue from preparations, and financial worries.
Headaches, excessive drinking, overeating and insomnia are some triggers to
expound holiday stress. This can happen to seniors, men, women, and the sullen
teenager.
Holiday preparations
In preparation for the holidays define your personal limits
and stick to them. Decide what activities you would like to participate in,
entertain in the home, visit relatives or travel during the holiday. Have a
family meeting and discuss the options available to you. There is no one
correct way to celebrate the season.
There are many options to relieve the stress and scale back
the celebration. Decorate your home with the favorite traditional items or ones
that hold the most memories for your family. Then create a budget and determine
what you can spend for each person on your list and make no exceptions that
would put you over your limit. Planning your holiday meal should be put in your
expenses also.
If your family complains about the downsizing of the holiday
explore the opportunities in helping others. There are several ideas that you
and your family could choose from such as volunteering at the food bank, buying
a gift for the Angel tree, or visiting seniors at nursing homes. Your family
could attend church services and musical concerts that can replenish the
holiday spirit when you feel overwhelmed. Making time to take care of yourself
is also a gift because you will then have the energy to do for others. Determine
what positive changes can be made this year so that you and your family are
blessed with a happy and healthy holiday.