Holiday Stress

“Stress, Depression, and the Holidays”

For some people, the holidays bring

unwelcome guest, stress and depression.

You may find yourself facing a dizzying

array of demands- work, parties, shopping,

baking, cleaning, and school breaks.

With some practical tips, you can minimize

the stress and depression.

Holiday Stress Triggers

There are three main triggers that can

activate holiday stress and depression: 1. Relationships- Tension and conflicts amongst family

members tends to heighten during the holidays.

2. Finances- Overspending on gifts, travel, food and

entertainment sore during this time of the year.

3. Physical Demands- The strains of shopping,

attending social gatherings and preparing holiday

meals can wipe you out.

12 Tips for Coping

#1-2

• Acknowledge your feelings- If a loved one

recently passed away, or you are unable to be

near family for the holidays, realize that it is

normal to feel grief or sadness. Don’t force

yourself to be happy just because it is the

holiday season.

• Seek support- If you feel isolated or down,

seek out family members and friends. They

can offer support and companionship.

12 Tips for Coping

#3-4

• Be realistic- Understand that as families grow and change, traditions often change and in some cases, are no longer possible.

• Set differences aside- Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don’t live up to all your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion.

12 Tips for Coping

#5-6

• Stick to a budget- Before you go shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend on gifts and other items. Then be sure to stick to your budget.

• Plan ahead- Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and make one big food-shopping trip.

12 Tips for Coping

#7-8

• Learn to say “No”- People will understand if you can’t do certain projects or activities. If you say yes only to things you can really do, you will avoid feeling resentful and overwhelmed.

• Don’t abandon healthy habits- Over indulgence adds to your stress and guilt. Don’t let the holidays become a dietary free-for-all!

12 Tips for Coping

#9-10

• Take a breather- Make time for yourself by

finding something that clears your mind, slows

your breathing and restores your calm.

Spending just 15 minutes alone may refresh you

enough to handle everything you need to do.

• Rethink resolutions- Resolutions can set you

up for failure if they are unrealistic. Choose only

those resolutions that help you feel valuable.

12 Tips for Coping

#11-12

• Forget perfection- Something always “comes

up”. You may get work late at the office, or miss

an appointment. Expect and accept

imperfections.

• Seek professional help if you need it- If you

find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious,

plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep,

irritable or hopeless, this could be a sign or

depression. Talk to your doctor or a mental

health professional.