Fighting Christmas Depression - part II

Depressed for Christmas

https://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20550695,00.html

We started looking at this two days ago (before a diversion into the Winter Solstice)

Let’s finish it today.

1.  Don’t skimp on sleep

It does seem that all suggestions for good health suggest that we get our sleep!!  (Okay, lately, I’ve been taking two naps - plus good sleeping!! - but my naps are generally 10 to 15 minutes!!)

2. Limit Media consumption

The article suggests that television shows happy people going shopping, or couples where the man is giving an engagement ring to his girlfriend.  If you are missing your family, spouse or friends these ads might push you back into depression.  As I write today, I have Christmas Carols Radio on Pandora (more traditional songs and carols). If you have cable TV you can select one of the music channels with seasonal tunes.  

3. (Important) Don’t be scared to ask for help!!

And, that number is (AP) 512-623-1234 (not quite correct).  If you are alone, call, text, visit others.  Being alone at Christmas can be really depressive!!

4. Make exercise a priority

Again, like most of the literature on depression -get some exercise.  Maybe the weather is bad, but get out, do some exercise!!  My parents went to a shopping mall before it opened as part of the “Mall Walker” crew.  In addition to exercise, they met many good friends.  (The social aspect is important too).  Aside - they sometimes negated the walking as frequently the mall walking group would stop for donuts!!!

5. Get your light

Some people suffer from SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder.  The article suggests having daily treatments with a light box.  Comment.  We lived in Portland Oregon for two years.  Winters can be dreary - as many days have clouds and light rain as the fronts come in from the Pacific.  Light boxes were very popular there!!!

6.  Make other plans

This might be a good time to plan ahead.  Might you take a cruise to Alaska this summer?  Do your planning now!!  Or trips to visit friends in the spring.  Sitting and having a ‘pity party’ makes you more depressed!!

7. Focus on what matters.

As a Christian, the season focused on ‘peace and good will to men’. But for some of my friends where poverty and homelessness are almost always on the horizon frequent feel the financial pressure of gift giving.  Talk to your relatives and friends about gift giving.  My wife’s family drew one name out of a hat, so instead of buying twenty gifts, they would focus on just one of the family members.

8. Don’t binge on alcohol or food

(Okay, I failed on this last weekend - but that cheesecake was delicious!!!)

9. Cut back on commitments

Last weekend I had five Christmas commitments - two on Friday night, two on Saturday, and a Christmas Concert on Sunday.  I needed to decide which were the most important.  

And, another comment.  Two of those involved bringing food.  Plan your food in advance - and if possible - prepare it in advance.

So there we are  - ways to get the most out of Christmas.  There is a Christian song “Love came down at Christmas”.  Even for my Jewish friends, celebrating Chanukah (or Hanukkah)  can be a time of joy and happiness.  

Last year was a disaster for me.  I spent Christmas Day with a handicapped woman playing cribbage.  She was nice, but she wasn’t my wife, or my daughter or my son-in-law or my daughter-in-law and she definitely not one of my five grandchildren.  It was my first Christmas alone.  This year, I am taking Amtrak from Austin to Phoenix to spend a few days with my niece’s family and with my sister and brother-in-law!!!

I have learned a lot about life and love this year.  I am called to LOVE - to FORGIVE - to REJOICE always - to be UPBEAT and POSITIVE!! 

May your Christmas / Chanukah / Holidays be very special and happy for you!!!  God is so good my friends!!  Celebrate!!!

Hugs!!

Karen