The holidays are not a joyous time of year for everyone. The many demands placed on one during the holiday season such as shopping, cooking, traveling, out-of-town guests, office parties, etc.; can all attribute to mood changes and anxiety. Here are some tips to try to avoid the “holiday blues:”
- Do not overbook your schedule. This can lead to exhaustion, which can make you irritable, cranky, and depressed.
- Organize your time. Prioritize activities and stick to them!
- Be careful not to focus on resentment from past holiday memories that aren’t so fond.
- Don’t expect the holidays to be like they were when you were a child. You are not a child anymore, and no one in your family is either. Focus on creating new fun memories for the future.
- Be a volunteer. Serve meals to the homeless, visit underprivileged children to hand out gifts, visit a nursing home. Doing a service is a great way to fend off depression.
- If you drink, try not to overindulge. Alcohol is a depressant and can exacerbate anxiety and depression.
- And lastly, give yourself a break. Take time for YOU and the things you like to do. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a walk, do yoga, take a relaxing bath…something that calms you and gives you a better perspective on what is important in YOUR life.
