North Eastman Health Association

Tips To Have A Stress Free Christmas...

by NEHA Health Facilitators

Health Corner:

Ask your Primary Health Care Provider

Please forward health related questions to:

Health Corner, Box 1030, Lac du Bonnet District Health Centre

Phone: 345-8647; or Email corvis@neha.mb.ca

For more health information, please, visit the NEHA website: www.neha.mb.ca  

Stress, Depression, And The Holidays  

Relationships can cause turmoil, conflict or stress at any time but tensions often heighten during the holidays. Conflicts are bound to arise with so many different personalities, needs, and interests. On the other hand, you many find yourself especially lonely or sad if you are facing the holidays without a loved one. Overspending during the holidays on gifts, travel, food, and entertainment can increase stress as you try to make ends meet and ensuring that everyone is happy. Physical demands of shopping, socializing and preparing for holiday meals can be exhausting. Exercise and sleep are good antidotes for stress and fatigue. High demands, stress, lack of exercise, and overindulgence in food and drink- all are ingredients for holiday illness.  

Tips To Help Prevent Holiday Stress And Depression 

• Acknowledge your feelings . Realize that it's normal to feel sadness or grief if a loved one has recently died or you aren't able to be with your loved one's. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season.
• Seek Support . If you feel isolated or down, seek out family, friends, or community, religious, or social services. Consider volunteering at a community or religious function.
• Be realistic . “Norman Rockwell Christmas'” are for the movies. As families change and grow, so do traditions and rituals. Find new ways to celebrate together from afar – share pictures, e-mails or videotapes.
• Set differences aside. Accept family members as they are. Even at Christmas, they won't always live up to your expectations. Set grievances aside until a more appropriate time for discussion.
• Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting, and other activities. Remember Christmas is a season and everything doesn't have to be done in one day.
• Learn to say no. If you say yes only to what you really want to do, you'll avoid feeling resentful, bitter, and overwhelmed. If it's really not possible to say no, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
• Don't abandon healthy habits. Don't let the holidays become a ietary free for all. Overindulgence adds to stress and guilt.
• Take a breather. Make time for you. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring your inner calm.
• Seek Professional Help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable or hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for several weeks, talk to your Doctor or a mental health professional. You may have depression. 

Take Back Control Of Holiday Stress And Depression  

Remember that one key to minimizing holiday stress and depression is the knowledge that holidays can trigger stress and depression. Accept that things aren't always going to go as planned. Take steps to manage your stress and you may find that you actually enjoy this years holidays more than you thought you could.

Source: Mayo Clinic 2007

Submitted by Debbie Devigne,

Community Mental Health Worker

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