On Wed, 20 Dec 2006 02:04:12 GMT, Charles <ckraft@SPAMTRAP.west.net>
wrote:

On Tue, 19 Dec 2006 20:24:21 -0500, elegy
<elegy@shatteringDOGPOOP.org> wrote:

seriously.

I used to. Now it's just something to endure. It will come and go on
its own accord regardless of what we do.

TGIF applies to February.

Coping With the Holiday Blues

(November 21, 2006) - With the holidays just about here, so, too, are
the comforting seasonal images of cheer -- family get-togethers,
lavish dinners, and the bustle of shopping and gift-giving.
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But for some, the holidays are a source of sadness. The period from
Thanksgiving to New Year's can offer unwanted reminders of loss --
perhaps the death of a loved one or a recent divorce, said Dr. Eric
Hollander, director of the Compulsive, Impulsive and Anxiety Disorder
Program at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

A number of factors can contribute to the "holiday blues," including
troubled family relationships, stress, fatigue, lack of sunlight,
unrealistic expectations, images in the media, and financial
constraints.

"The holidays also come at the end of the year, when people tend to
evaluate what they have done in the previous year. If they feel like
they haven't made sufficient progress, they may feel a sense of loss,"
said Dr. Boadie Dunlop, assistant professor of psychiatry at Emory
University in Atlanta.

People struggling with the holiday blues may experience feelings of
sadness, tension, and stress; changes in sleep patterns; a lack of
energy; diminished interest in favorite activities; or excessive
drinking or eating.

Fortunately, there are ways to cope.

"Maintaining healthful lifestyle patterns and getting together with
others is especially important during the holidays," said Hollander.

He suggests making a special effort to get as much sunlight as
possible, exercise regularly, eat a healthful diet, and keep up social
connections during the holiday season.

If you're feeling sad, stressed, or tense during the holidays, Dunlop
suggests the following:

*

Set reasonable goals. To avoid overextending yourself during the
holidays, plan ahead, avoid chaotic situations, and stick to a budget.
*

Have reasonable expectations. If your holidays aren't perfect,
that's OK. Prioritize what is and isn't important for you to do.
*

Get enough rest. Set aside time for yourself to relax and sleep
during the busy season.
*

Avoid dwelling on the past. If you find yourself focusing on
unpleasant thoughts, find something else to do, such as taking a walk
or visiting a friend.
*

Focus on the positive. Instead of worrying about what you
haven't done in the past year, talk with someone about all the
positive things that have happened during that time.
*

Don't overindulge in alcohol or food. Enjoy holiday meals in
moderation, because excessive food and drink will just make you feel
worse.


Fortunately, the symptoms of depression associated with the holiday
season usually don't last. "The holiday blues should lift within a
couple of weeks after the holiday season ends," Dunlop said.

But get help if you think you need it. According to Hollander, if you
have a marked change in your sleep or energy patterns, or struggle
with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, seek the help of an experienced
mental-health practitioner. .

By: Krisha McCoy
Source: HealthDay News