Dealing with Holiday Stress!

As a child, the Christmas celebration was always an elaborate event, grandma cooked for days, there were more cookies and desserts than a person could eat in a year. Meat choices were many and there was enough gravy to float a boat. Just thinking about her famous bread pudding causes my mouth to salivate.

Cousins, aunts and uncles, and others filled the house with boisterous talking, childish shenanigans, bellowing laughter, and an occasional disagreement about politics. But the loving hugs, and the Christmas songs sang along with the piano, added to the fun.

I have tremendous memories of those Christmas celebrations long ago on the farm in Montevideo, Minnesota, including the tradition of chipping ice out of the nearby river to make homemade ice cream on Christmas Day each year.

However, I know for some this time of the year can be excruciating, especially for those who have experienced a loss; divorce, illness, family trauma, job loss, or moving to a new location can cause serious depression during the holidays.

The Christmas later in the year when my 45-year-old Dad died was the worst holiday I’d ever had, that was until the Christmas twelve years later, following my 5-year-old son being overdosed and killed by an emergency room physician. On both occasions, everyone assumed I was spending the day with them and enjoying the time together. In reality, I was heartbroken, had a nagging feeling of emptiness, and hated how I was faking it. The losses were unbearable.

Here’s my challenge for you this year, is there someone you know who may be struggling during this holiday season?

If so, here’s a few practical tips, maybe for you, or to share.

? Don’t anesthetize the pain with drugs or alcohol. Trying to numb the emotional distress often creates more depression and anxiety. And in my case, and this is often true with others, you may do or say something you’ll regret.

? Leave the old traditions alone. Don’t bring out the old ornaments, avoid certain music or locations, and avoid fragrances that might trigger sadness.

? Don’t hibernate. Your feelings of depression might tempt you to isolate, but force yourself to go out, even if it’s only for a short time.

? Keep moving. Get up and exercise because that will produce natural stress reducers. Healthy foods give you strength, fattening foods and sugar can make you sluggish and worsen depression.

? Be Creative. Do something completely different this year. You might find someone else who may be struggling this year and brainstorm. The list of ideas could be almost endless.

Blessings on your pre-Christmas weekend!!!