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Beat The Holiday Blues
Trinitas Hospital Psychologist Offers Advice On Coping With Holiday
Blues
The holiday season is a joyous time where friends and family come
together to enjoy a time of both happiness and celebration. Hosting parties
and meeting with relatives, friends and neighbors often means that this is a
hectic time of year for many people. With current military operations in
Iraq, along with the continual threat of terrorism, the prospect of holiday
shopping, travel and hosting parties can create additional stress.
"Although this season is a time for celebration, taking care of yourself is
also very important," said Rodger Goddard, PhD., Psychologist, Trinitas Hospital. "At this time of year, people young and old alike may also cope
with anxiety, stress, the absence of loved ones and family separations. In
many circumstances celebrations can often create tension, stress and
disappointment."
Experiencing the 'Holiday Blues' is common during the holiday season with
symptoms including feelings of fatigue, sadness, stress and a general
reduction in energy. Instead of looking forward to and enjoying the
celebrations, for many this season increases a feeling of loneliness, stress
and anxiety. "It is important to realize that everyone will experience this
holiday season differently," stated Goddard. "With changes in routines,
additional spending and absence of family members, individuals need to
ensure that they reduce the affects of the Holiday Blues as much as possible
to ensure that the body has time to recover from these negative feelings."
The holiday season should be a time of rejoicing and enjoying the company of
friends and family. By following these guidelines for a manageable holiday,
the symptoms of Holiday Blues can be reduced to ensure stress and anxiety is
kept to a minimum and allowing everyone the opportunity of experiencing a
happy holiday.
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Set realistic goals for yourself this holiday season. By creating
manageable goals, disappointment and stress can be kept to a minimum.
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Prioritize your events and activities. Organize your time
effectively when going to parties and if traveling, allowing yourself
plenty of time to arrive at your destination in case of delays.
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Allow some time for yourself this holiday season. Everyone needs the
opportunity to recharge their batteries.
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Establish a budget for shopping, decorations and food. Financial
worries can only add more stress to the holiday season.
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Ensure you maintain a healthy diet this season and get plenty of
exercise. Overeating and excessive drinking to escape feelings of stress
and anxiety can only add to your Holiday Blues.
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If you will be alone this holiday season, try joining a local
community club or religious group.
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"This holiday season, prepare realistically and take into consideration the
level of stress and anxiety you may create for yourself," explains Goddard.
"A holiday should be a time for happiness and relaxing with friends and
family. By taking into consideration these tips for a stress reducing
holiday, everyone should experience a happier, enjoyable holiday season."
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