Those Holiday Blues........
I’m at the age now where more of my friends are facing health challenges and death and a lot of my friends are losing their parents. It’s especially tough during the Holiday Season. Celebrations aren’t the same. And, for many, the grief is more than they expected and can turn the holiday into a really, weepy, sad time.
I know the feeling.
After my mom died, I was THROUGH. I’d already lost my father and brother. I cared for her in our home for about 18 months while we were trying to sell our home. We finally did and relocated to another state. I started a new job. My son started college. I started feeling really anxious and wasn’t really looking forward to the holidays. Who was I gonna cook with and shop with and LAUGH with. All I had was those memories that kept bringing tears to my eyes and an ache to my heart.. My life was recalculating. It was too much!!!
And, then out of nowhere, my cousin called and invited us to spend the holiday with them. Her mom and my mom had been best friends…..so it felt so good to look forward to just “being” with them. We cooked and shopped and LAUGHED till our bellies hurt. And, I made it through…….
For many, the holidays are a sad reminder of what was. We are triggered by sights and sounds and smells. And, perhaps the worst part is the anticipation of how bad it’s gonna be. It can be. But, it doesn’t have to be.
If you are dreading celebrating the holidays, feeling unexplainably tired, having trouble focusing or not finding joy in the things that you used to enjoy, here are some tips to help you make it through the blues:
It’s normal to feel down when you’ve experienced loss or change. All of us around the world are still recovering from the impact of COVID and are searching for normalcy. Touch how you are really feeling about all of it. Grieve your loss. (Seeking professional help is always an option too).
Set and stick to financial goals that you can manage. Sometimes we spend beyond our means and the sadness and depression really kick in in January when the bills are due.
Connect with people you LOVE! Getting with my cousin and her family was JUST what I needed. I felt safe and happy. And, being happy improves your oxytocin levels.
Get plenty SLEEP! It’s great for improving mood. And, increases your energy.
Keep it MOVING!! Dance, walk, clean the house. Movement is critical to boosting mood improving hormones.
Stay away from ALCOHOL and CAFFEINE. Both are horrible for mood stability and may cause the sadness/depression to be worse. Drink plenty of WATER. And, if you don’t like plain water, make some holiday herbal tea!!
Create New Holiday Traditions. What are some new and different things you can do? The way you decorate, the food you eat, events you attend can definitely improve your mood and give you new things to remember. While my immediate family is no longer with me, the memories will always be. I have tried to incorporate some of those memories into new celebrations that I now look forward to.
Help someone else. The experience of doing for others ALWAYS improves mood and perspective. Hospitals, nursing homes, homeless shelters are full of people who would truly appreciate your kind gestures.
Eat Well!!! Lighten up on the sugary, salty, high fat delights that we typically pile up on during the holiday. Make sure that you are getting plenty of whole foods that feed the gut and improve mood too.
Listen to some music. It is one of the best ways to improve mood!! This time of year we love to play Handel’s Messiah A Soulful Celebration!! You will be dancing and singing and swaying and praising and shouting for JOY!!!
This season, I wish you Fullness of Joy!! It ALWAYS comes in the Morning!! Happy, Healthy, Joyful Holidays to YOU!! It’s Wellness Wednesday Yawl!!
I’m Still Shoutin’ Ova Here!!
Donna
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