How to beat the Christmas blues
Dec 28, 2008
FOR some people, the festive season spells joy. “That is when I count my blessings by the number of children and grandchildren gathered,†71-year-old Phinehas Wakoko, a retired banker says. While for others, the holidays come with depression. “My parents died around Christmas,†says Katy, 2
By Irene Nabusoba
FOR some people, the festive season spells joy. “That is when I count my blessings by the number of children and grandchildren gathered,†71-year-old Phinehas Wakoko, a retired banker says. While for others, the holidays come with depression. “My parents died around Christmas,†says Katy, 25, a front desk officer.
www.mayoclinic.com, an Internet site on health, says holidays can be depressing with many demands — work, parties, shopping, cleaning and caring for parents or children.
However, psychologists note that relationships and finances are the main triggers of holiday stress. “Relationships can cause turmoil or stress at any time.
But tensions are heightened during the holidays. Family misunderstandings can intensify-especially if you are thrust together for several days. On the other hand, if you’re facing the holidays without a loved one, you may feel lonely,†they argue.
The site adds that finances can cause stress at any time of the year but overspending during the holidays can increase stress as you try to ensure everyone is happy.
True to this, Mike Were is feeling the bite of the festive season. “It’s no wonder financial institutions are busy with loans now,†he jokes. “It’s the time we want to show how far we have progressed only to return bankrupt,†Were says.
Nonetheless, with some tips from www.mayoclinic.com, you can minimise this stress.
Accept your feelings. If a loved one has died or you cannot be with your loved ones, it is normal to be sad. Do not force yourself to be happy just because it’s Christmas.
Seek support. If you feel down, seek support from family members and friends, or community. Consider volunteering at a religious function, this will lift your spirits. Enlist support for organising holiday gatherings, do not go it alone.
Be realistic. As families grow, traditions change as well. Hold on to those you can and let go of others. For example, if your adult children can’t gather at your house, find new ways to celebrate from afar, such as sharing pictures.
Set differences aside. Accept family and friends as they are. Forgive. Be understanding if others get upset when things go awry.
Stick to a budget. Before you shop, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Stick to your budget otherwise you could feel tense for months as you struugle to pay the bills.
Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and make one big food-shopping trip to prevent a last-minute scramble for forgotten ingredients. Expect travel delays.
Say ‘no’. Say yes to what you really want to do to avoid being overwhelmed. If you cannot say ‘no’ when your boss asks you to work overtime, remove something else from your agenda to make up for lost time.
Embrace healthy habits. Don’t let the holidays become a dietary free-for-all. Overindulgence adds to your stress. Have a healthy snack before parties so that you don’t go overdrink. Get plenty of sleep and do exercise.
Take a breather. Spending 15 minutes alone may refresh you to handle whatever you need to.
Rethink resolutions. Resolutions can set you up for failure if they’re unrealistic. Set more specific goals with a reasonable time frame.
Seek professional help. When you find yourself feeling anxious, plagued by physical complaints and unable to face routine chores and these feelings last for several weeks, talk to a mental health professional. You may be depressed.
FOR some people, the festive season spells joy. “That is when I count my blessings by the number of children and grandchildren gathered,†71-year-old Phinehas Wakoko, a retired banker says. While for others, the holidays come with depression. “My parents died around Christmas,†says Katy, 25, a front desk officer.
www.mayoclinic.com, an Internet site on health, says holidays can be depressing with many demands — work, parties, shopping, cleaning and caring for parents or children.
However, psychologists note that relationships and finances are the main triggers of holiday stress. “Relationships can cause turmoil or stress at any time.
But tensions are heightened during the holidays. Family misunderstandings can intensify-especially if you are thrust together for several days. On the other hand, if you’re facing the holidays without a loved one, you may feel lonely,†they argue.
The site adds that finances can cause stress at any time of the year but overspending during the holidays can increase stress as you try to ensure everyone is happy.
True to this, Mike Were is feeling the bite of the festive season. “It’s no wonder financial institutions are busy with loans now,†he jokes. “It’s the time we want to show how far we have progressed only to return bankrupt,†Were says.
Nonetheless, with some tips from www.mayoclinic.com, you can minimise this stress.
Accept your feelings. If a loved one has died or you cannot be with your loved ones, it is normal to be sad. Do not force yourself to be happy just because it’s Christmas.
Seek support. If you feel down, seek support from family members and friends, or community. Consider volunteering at a religious function, this will lift your spirits. Enlist support for organising holiday gatherings, do not go it alone.
Be realistic. As families grow, traditions change as well. Hold on to those you can and let go of others. For example, if your adult children can’t gather at your house, find new ways to celebrate from afar, such as sharing pictures.
Set differences aside. Accept family and friends as they are. Forgive. Be understanding if others get upset when things go awry.
Stick to a budget. Before you shop, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Stick to your budget otherwise you could feel tense for months as you struugle to pay the bills.
Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and make one big food-shopping trip to prevent a last-minute scramble for forgotten ingredients. Expect travel delays.
Say ‘no’. Say yes to what you really want to do to avoid being overwhelmed. If you cannot say ‘no’ when your boss asks you to work overtime, remove something else from your agenda to make up for lost time.
Embrace healthy habits. Don’t let the holidays become a dietary free-for-all. Overindulgence adds to your stress. Have a healthy snack before parties so that you don’t go overdrink. Get plenty of sleep and do exercise.
Take a breather. Spending 15 minutes alone may refresh you to handle whatever you need to.
Rethink resolutions. Resolutions can set you up for failure if they’re unrealistic. Set more specific goals with a reasonable time frame.
Seek professional help. When you find yourself feeling anxious, plagued by physical complaints and unable to face routine chores and these feelings last for several weeks, talk to a mental health professional. You may be depressed.