The holiday season is filled with family, friends and fellowship. It can also be overwhelming, and filled with uncertainty and loss.
So during the holiday season it is important to know recognize the signs and symptoms that your stress level is high so you can ward off anxiety and depression.
Stress and depression can make for a horrible holiday season.
It is important that you take time to sit with yourself and be honest with your feelings. If you feel overwhelmed, acknowledge it. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one or relationship, give yourself permission to have sad or angry moments.
Don’t pretend to be happy if you are not. Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends, family, social networks or churches for support.
It is amazing how compassionate and understanding your extended network can be if you share your emotions and feelings of grief and loss. Others may be dealing with the same thing and may appreciate the opportunity to share their own feelings as well.
If you are feeling really down you might need to reach out to a health care professional to evaluate you for a more serious problem and support.
Try to maintain your normal schedule as much as possible. Your body likes routines so getting enough sleep, eating properly, exercising and relaxing can help you to stay balanced and not stressed during the holidays.
When you overindulge or push yourself too hard during the holidays you can throw yourself off balance, and stress and frustration can set in.
When you eat too many sugary sweet foods it can reduce your resilience and you can get sick more easily. It can also make you feel guilty and ashamed when you partake in too many junk foods, desserts or alcoholic drinks.
Create a plan and stick to it. Look at your holiday schedule and prioritize which events you can attend and which you will have to say no to. There is only so much time in each day or each week so you will have to say no if you have too many events to attend.
Saying no might seem hard but trying to attend three or four events in one day is far worse.
The holidays can be a wonderfully fun time of year, or they can be an extremely stressful time. It is up to you to decide how this time will be for you.
Be honest with yourself and what you can handle for the holidays, and you will have a good season.
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
Dr. Dae's website: www.healthydaes.org
Download one of Dr. Dae's books: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living, Eating Healthy for the Holidays, Cultivate Health: Recipes for Diabetic or Pre-Diabetic Conditions @ www.healthydaes.org/
Dr. Dae's Bio:
Dr. Daemon Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who maintains a holistic practice by treating patients all over the country using Skype and phone visits. She helps her patients harvest health and feel great, using a combination of safe and effective naturopathic and conventional methods.
Sources:
"Depression Symptoms, Warning Signs, Types, and Complications ." WebMD - Better information. Better health.. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-symptoms-and-types
"Stress, depression and the holidays: Tips for coping - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress/MH00030
Reviewed December 4, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith