SAULT STE. MARIE - The holiday season is a time full of joy, cheer, parties, and family gatherings. However, for some, it is a time of self evaluation, loneliness, reflection on past failures, and anxiety about an uncertain future.
Many factors can cause the "holiday blues" and the health care professionals at Hiawatha Behavioral Health, serving Chippewa, Mackinac, and Schoolcraft Counties, are making special efforts to assure a happy holiday season for all. Stress, fatigue, unrealistic expectations, over-commercialization, financial constraints, and the inability to be with one's family and friends are among the main contributors to holiday depression and stress. The demands of shopping, parties, family reunions, and house guests also contribute to feelings of tension.
People who do not become depressed may develop other stress responses, such as headaches, excessive drinking, over-eating, and difficulty sleeping. Even more people experience a post-holiday let down after January 1. This can result from disappointments during the preceding months compounded with the excess fatigue and stress. Mark Gerig, HBH Crisis Manager, said "in many ways it's our own expectations for the holidays that create stress by placing more demands on our bodies. Even if the added activity is very positive it is still additional activity on our person and can create stressful situations."
Gerig said most people become very active during the holiday season and that alone sometimes leads them down the road to stress and even sometimes to depression. "At the same time as we increase our activities there is also an increase in expectations for the holidays and a recall of memories of holidays past. For some people the expectations and the reality are quite different and that leads to disappointment. And then there are those who are isolated and alone at holiday time, and that too leads to feelings of depression." Gerig said "while the tensions might be present all year long, they increase with the idea that somehow, in some way, the holiday will make it all better".
But, the crises manager said "the holiday or the season in itself does little or nothing to solve the problems in our lives." Changing the belief from "the holiday will make it better" to "I will make it better" is the first major step in managing holiday stress and preventing post holiday let down.
With that in mind, steps for avoiding holiday stress include:
- Keep expectations manageable: Try to set realistic goals for yourself. Pace yourself. Organize your time. Make a list and prioritize the important activities.
- Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Do not put your entire focus on just one day, remember it is a season of holiday sentiment and activities can be spread out to lessen stress and increase enjoyment. Remember the holiday season does not banish reasons for feeling sad or lonely; there is room for these feelings to be present, even if the person chooses not to express them.
- Look toward the future: Leave "yesteryear" in the past. Life brings changes. Each season is different and can be enjoyed in its own way.
- Do something for someone else: Try volunteering some time to help others.
- Enjoy activities that are free: Driving around to look at holiday decorations; going window shopping without buying; making a snowperson with your children.
- Be aware of excessive drinking: It will only increase your feelings of depression.
- Save time for yourself: Recharge your batteries! Let others share responsibility for activities.
- Learn to appreciate who and what you have rather than wishing you had someone or something else.
Enjoy this particular time of your life. It will never happen again. For more information on stress during the holidays or eligibility for services offered, call Hiawatha Behavioral Health in Chippewa, Mackinac or Schoolcraft Counties at 1-800-839-9443; TTY line call collect (906) 632-5539. 24-hour emergency services are available.
