The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, the season when people come together to spend time with loved ones to create lasting memories. Yet for many people, the holidays are not so happy — stress, fatigue, loneliness, depression and anxiety can ruin what is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. Parkridge Valley outreach specialist Reba Bales offers some tips on how people can handle their holiday blues in order to have the best season possible.
There are many reasons for people to be stressed during the holidays, according to Bales. "For some, the need to create a 'perfect holiday' for family and friends - and adding a lot of holiday duties and activities on top of already-busy schedules — is a major source of stress," she notes. "For others, the inability to be with friends and loved ones can trigger feelings of guilt and depression. Also, the holidays are a time of indulgence, and many problems during the November and December months arise from eating too much, drinking to excess, and/or spending too much money." To avoid a holiday meltdown, it is important for people to keep in mind the following tips when navigating the demands of the season:
- Set reasonable goals for yourself and don’t take on too much. "By being realistic about what you can and cannot accomplish, you will be less likely to feel overwhelmed," says Bales.
- Create a budget for gifts and other holiday expenses and stick to it as much as possible.
- Maintain healthy habits. "Exercise and adequate rest are especially important during the holidays," notes Bales.
- Take some time for yourself when needed, and recruit family or friends to assist with the planning and execution of holiday events and activities.
- Manage your expectations, and concentrate on prioritizing those things that are most important to you.
- Try something new during the holidays. "You don’t always have to do things the same way every year - it’s important to make traditions that work for you," notes Bales.
- Volunteer or participate in a community or religious organization if you feel lonely or isolated. "Getting involved in something, especially during the holidays, can help take your mind off your troubles and allow you to socialize and feel good about helping others."
- Give yourself permission to feel sadness and grief. "These are normal emotions that don’t go away just because of the holiday season," notes Bales. "If you are mourning a loved one or if you can’t be with your loved one this year, take the time to cry or express your feelings."
- Seek help if you need it. "If you have persistent anxiety, irritability, trouble sleeping, or if you have low moods that last for several days, seek professional help," advises Bales. "Parkridge Valley has a 24-hour RESPOND hotline staffed by medical professionals who can give advice on treatment for your condition or refer you to a mental health provider who can perform a complete psychological evaluation."
About Parkridge Valley
Parkridge Valley, a behavioral health facility of Parkridge Medical Center, has served the tri-state area for over 30 years, providing unparalleled expertise in treating a broad range of behavioral and chemical dependency problems for children and adolescents as well as adults. A community helpline, RESPOND, is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 423 499-2300 or 800 542-9600. The trained mental health professionals and psychiatric nurses on staff with RESPOND offer confidential assessment, consultation and referral of callers to appropriate services.