*~Holiday Depression & Stress~*

[yuiyoshida]

Although the holidays are supposed to be a time full of joy, good cheer and optimistic hopes for a new year, many people struggle during the holiday season when expectations are high and disrupted routines can feel overwhelming. However, some mental preparations and planning can help everyone cope with the season -- and even enjoy it.

Self-care. Pay special attention to your eating, sleeping, and downtime. It might be OK to skimp on a few hours of sleep just before a relaxing weekend, but think again if that weekend will include the stress of traveling, visiting or other activities out of your normal routine. Don’t forget to factor in downtime, too. Planning every hour of your time off can seem like a great idea, until you realize there is no time left to unwind.

Fun, not perfection. Resist the urge to do everything you can to make the season perfect for everyone. Just have as much fun as you can and don’t expect it to be perfect.

Anticipate stress. Plan ahead of time what your strategy will be when times get stressful. Is it possible to take a walk outside for 15 minutes when a family gathering gets stressful? How about a trip to your favorite store if your schedule gets you down?

more at the link:
http://www.mhawisconsin.org/holidaystress.aspx

hold up your hand if you get the HOLIDAY BLUES!
I certainly do...I can relate to your anger SUPERGIRL!

[Sherman A1]

1. Good advice

I will add only one thing...

Be nice as you can to people working in Retail, Food Service, Delivery Services and anywhere else that deals with increased holiday volume. Far too many are overworked, underpaid and under appreciated.

[KittyWampus]

3. I am half serious/half joking when I propose all Americans be required to serve in retail

when they graduate high school.

6 months. So they can know the joy of working with the public.

[lindysalsagal]

2. I used to set myself up for unrealistic expectations and then feel a loss...

The solution is to be realistic about the fantasies we all harbour and wake up to the fact that we don't need them to be happy:

And then to get some help looking into why you need the holidays as some kind of consolation prize at all: What is the nagging fear or pain that you're hoping the holidays can remedy? What in your past do you need to face and process? There might be grief waiting to be expressed for events in our pasts.

I just love being with my family at the holidays, and accept them as they are. That, and the food and the booze...Ok, ok, I like that part alot!!!

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

4. I have no problem resisting the "urge" to be perfect. LOL!

My house is pretty much a sty, but I'll clean it up when I have the time and energy for it. I know some people that decorate their homes to the hilt for Christmas. Not me. I couldn't careless. I'll up some up when I feel like it, but not a whole lot. Why? I'm just going to have to take that shit down again after Christmas. I don't need to give myself more work.