Beat the Holiday Blues
Brought to you by Riverside Behavioral Center at Charlotte Regional Medical Center
PUNTA GORDA, FL (November 7, 2013) -
Mentally prepare for the holidays
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we’re just a few weeks away from that beloved — and sometimes dreaded — time of year, the holidays. It’s a time for family, friends, parties and yearly traditions, often a whirlwind of activities.
With so much celebration and merriment, why does this time of year often bring on the blues? Consider some of the things that can make us feel badly about ourselves: Overindulging in food and alcohol, feeling overwhelmed and over committed, lack of exercise and sleep, unrealistic expectations … All of these behaviors and feelings are common during the holidays, so it’s no wonder so many people feel down.
Although the holidays can be hectic and challenging, they don’t have to wreak havoc on your emotional well-being. To help you prepare for a more joyful holiday season, Riverside Behavioral Center would like to offer some tips for keeping the holiday blues away.
Tips for a happy holiday season
Even if previous years have been emotionally taxing, it doesn’t mean this year has to be. The first step is to approach this year with a positive attitude and a plan. The behavioral health team at Riverside Behavioral Center suggests the following tips to make this a happy holiday season:
- Consider what’s important. It’s not the presents, the food, how you look or about whether your house is perfectly clean, it’s about spending time with others. Try to accept people for who they are and focus on their positive attributes and what you have in common, rather than how you’re different.
- Maintain healthy habits. Make a point to exercise, which will improve your mood and self-esteem, and get plenty of sleep. To avoid overindulging at a party, don’t arrive famished. Have healthy snacks throughout the day so you’re less likely to overdo it. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation — remember, alcohol is a depressant.
- Reach out to others. If you feel alone or isolated, seek out a community center, church or other organization where you can be with others. Volunteering can also lift your spirits, and those of the people you help, and create or strengthen friendships. Helping others can give you a sense of accomplishment and purpose. Plan ahead by researching local organizations and find a volunteer activity that resonates with you.
- Learn to say no. Be realistic about what you can handle. Agreeing to do things that you don’t have time for or want to do can make you feel resentful and overwhelmed. People will understand if you can’t attend every event or take on every task. Don’t overcommit yourself to exhaustion.
- Take time for yourself. Taking some quiet time every day — just 15 minutes can help — to relax, clear your mind, and reduce stress is important. Listen to soothing music, take a walk, or slip away somewhere quiet to give yourself a break. You’ll be better prepared to handle the tasks ahead with a calm, clear mind.
“The holidays can be particularly difficult if you can’t be with family or recently lost someone you love,” said Mizyl Damayo, M.D., Psychiatrist. “It’s normal to feel sad, and it’s OK to take time to grieve and express your feelings. But it’s also important to avoid isolation. Volunteering is an ideal way to stave off loneliness, connect with others, and feel good about doing something for others — whether you’re grieving or not. This time of year offers more opportunities than ever to give back, and doing so can make everyone’s holiday a little brighter.”
You shop for presents, plan meals, make travel arrangements or ready the house for guests — you do lots of things to prepare for the holidays. This year, why not take the time to get mentally prepared as well? By putting these tips into practice, you can minimize holiday stress. Who knows, this could be the best holiday season yet.
About Riverside Behavioral Center
Riverside Behavioral Center has maintained a distinguished place in the Southwest Florida behavioral health care field for 30 years. Located on the campus of acute-care, award-winning Charlotte Regional Medical Center in historic downtown Punta Gorda, Florida, this 52-bed private psychiatric facility continues the tradition of excellent patient care and community commitment. Established with the mission to serve the surrounding community, Riverside Behavioral Center cares for patients with the most challenging of illnesses by providing inpatient psychiatric hospitalization with a broad and comprehensive range of treatment options. The Center has an honorable record of success in treating especially difficult clinical presentations. For more information, please call Riverside Behavioral Center at (941) 637-2474.
True or False: There’s no difference between depression and sadness.
False. Everyone experiences sadness after an emotionally difficult experience, but the feeling lessens with time. Depression, however, is characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with someone’s ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy once-pleasurable activities. The symptoms don’t go away on their own and can last for months or years. The good news is that depression is treatable through medications, psychotherapy, and other therapies.
Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your physician that will benefit your health.
