STRESSED & DEPRESSED
THIS CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SEASON?
YOU’RE NOT ALONE
10 Tips on how to turn stressed & depressed into
Joy & Peace
this Holiday Season
By Sonya Camille
JINGLE BELLS ARE RINGING EVERYWHERE
This season is noisy. Jingle Bells are ringing on every corner, in every neighborhood, and on many homes. Also, the holidays include many activities, sights, and aromas, such as baking Christmas cookies, decorating gingerbread houses, and attending ugly sweater parties. Christmas lights and decorations are everywhere. And it wouldn’t seem like Christmas without the numerous gatherings of friends, family, and co-workers. And let’s not forget about the many fancy dinner parties that everyone throws. Celebrations and festivities are everywhere. All of these are among the many traditions of this busy season. But, let’s face it, only some agree that this is “the most wonderful time of the year.” Studies have shown that this time of year is far from Holly and Jolly for most. But why?
THE HOLIDAY SEASON CAN BE A TRIGGER
The cold hard truth is that the stress and anxiety of the holiday season can trigger many depressive disorders and sadness. Cooking meals, shopping, baking, entertaining, and the seemingly endless and constant cleaning can be just plain overwhelming.
The Christmas songs and the beloved Christmas Hallmark movies do not help those struggling to make it through this season. Movies can be a sad reminder that one’s reality differs from those depicted in love-filled films. Life isn’t always like what’s shown on the big screen; it often is not. The death of a loved one, loss of employment, a breakup, relationship issues, caring for a sick loved one, a divorce, a horrible diagnosis, and financial struggles can leave those struggling to feel helpless, hopeless, alone, unworthy, unloved, and afraid. Life is hard, and this season can be overwhelming. The suffocation felt during this beautiful time of year can make getting through this season challenging.
If you have been feeling this way lately or know someone who has, this list may help to turn your stressed and depressed into Joy and peace this season.
Hey little Drummer Boy! Roll the list, please!……
- Surround yourself with positive family and friends. Spending time with those
you care about can uplift your spirits. Remember that time is a gift-cherish your time with the ones you love and who care the most about you. - Be mindful of your budget. Don’t spend and shop impulsively. Remember, it’s not
about the presents, it’s about the people in your life-love them. - Take care of your body. Your own mental and physical well-being needs to be a
priority. Remain active. Exercise and engage in enjoyable activities. Studies show that exercise has known anti-anxiety and anti-depression effects, so make time for your workout. Take a walk around the neighborhood, a walk around your downtown area to look at the holiday lights and displays, or a walk in the park will help. If it’s too cold to go outdoors, walk on your treadmill or turn the tv on and walk in place while you watch your favorite Netflix series. - Replace negative thoughts with thoughts of gratitude.
- Serve and Volunteer- Give to a charitable cause. Knowing that you’re making a
positive difference in a stranger’s life can comfort you. - Your diet matters. There is a direct connection between what you eat and your
mood. Enjoy holiday treats but in moderation. Good nutrition is essential when you’re stressed. Resist overdoing alcohol and sugary items. Instead, bring a veggie tray or healthy treats to the party. You are what you eat. - Get Rest. Take small moments, as necessary, to sit. A quiet moment to sit still
and reflect. Even through difficult times, there is much to be genuinely thankful for in your life. Having a heart of gratitude brings joy. Also, ensure you get the proper hours of sleep each night. Rest affects your mood, so get more z’s, my friend. - Resist the urge to compare yourself to others. Judging yourself against
neighbors, co-workers, social media, or friends is pointless. There will always be those
that have more than you do. Conversely, there will always be those without as much as you. So, focus on yourself with a heart of thankfulness and gratitude. Count your blessing. It may help to write down all of the many blessings in your life; as the song says, “name them one by one.” - Don’t worry about how things should be or how you imagined they should be.
It’s ok to relax and enjoy the sweet moments even if you didn’t get the new table setting or
family PJs this year. Create memories and be actively present in the small
and large moments of this holiday season. - Ask for help and trim that list down! No need to do it all yourself; ask your family or a
friend for help. Also, not just the tree needs trimming. Trim the list for baking,
cooking, or shopping this year. Protect your peace!
Bonus: Consider help. If you’ve tried everything and you feel as if your sadness
is impacting your way of life, consider getting help from a professional. Seek
assistance from your primary care provider or therapist if you recognize any
changes in your mood, such as low energy, no drive or motivation to do things,
increased sadness, diet changes, or sleep disturbance.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
This world has many opinions on how one should ultimately obtain joy and happiness. From money, the big house, the new car, the latest and greatest of everything, and vacations to achieving social status, obtaining a successful career, possessions, and material things. Many feel that if only they had that special someone to do life with, certainly happiness would follow. Sadly, the search to find meaning, happiness, fulfillment, peace, joy, and contentment can only be found through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
If you feel like something is missing in your life, that there is a void that can not be filled, and if you, no matter how hard you try, can’t seem to find Joy and Peace this season, then my friend, Jesus is the only answer. Nothing and no one else will fill the void. No one can give you the happiness you are seeking. Think about this, If things, money, or possessions gave the joy that most seek, then wouldn’t there be more truly happy and content people in this world?
Possessions, just like people, will come and go. They will break or get lost, or they will fail you. In other words, people will come and go, they may abandon you, leave you, or abuse you-but God, my friend, is the only one who can give you the JOY you seek. He will never leave you. God will never abandon you or abuse you. And God is the only one that can fill that deep, lonely void in your life that money, possessions, and things can not fill.
Above all, if you truly want a fulfilling, meaningful life and a life full of JOY and PEACE, then Jesus is the only way! Jesus is the answer! John 14:6 “Jesus said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
I pray this helps someone today! God bless, and Merry Christmas to you all!