As I reminisce about previous holidays, I find myself remembering the good, the bad, and the ugly. Because the holidays can bring all sorts of memories back, it is important to prepare yourself for the holiday season if you find yourself sinking back into depression or worried that you may get sucked back in. As a Christian, I know that Jesus has created me to be an overcomer. I know that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. I know that with God all things are possible. Now, with that said, there is nothing wrong with preparing yourself for a time of year that you typically find yourself wandering back to that dark place.
Below are some tips that I discovered at http://www.cbn.com/health/emotionalwellness/rebeltaylor_holidaydepression.aspx
Tips on Overcoming Holiday Depression
Make realistic plans – Don’t stress in attempting to create the Norman Rockwell holiday – a relaxed, cozy Thanksgiving or Christmas with family and friends will create memories for a lifetime. Take time for each of you to share something you are thankful for. Read the Christmas story and talk about the greatest Gift ever given.
Extended families – Plan and schedule visits in advance, communicate openly about expectations, and work together to set a schedule you can all agree on. Create an atmosphere of love and grace for your child.
Negative or sad memories associated with the holidays – First, acknowledge how you feel. Ignoring it won’t make it go away. Sit down and allow yourself a little time to face and express your feelings and emotions, confess them to God, and allow Him to cover you in His grace and mercy. Create a new memory by planning something different and even unexpected.
Singles or Single again – Don’t dread sitting at home alone. Take the initiative and invite others to join you, or ask to join a family for the day. Again, it’s okay to admit you feel lonely or sad, but don’t stay there. Grab a friend and do the unexpected.
Take the focus off of you – Volunteer to serve others at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. We all feel better when we help others, and showing the love of Christ to those less fortunate is a wonderful gift.
Plan – Have a shopping plan or cooking schedule. List similar gifts together and group by stores. Allot yourself a realistic time frame to accomplish each task. Wandering mindlessly from store to store is exhausting and a waste of time. Schedule your time to purchase your groceries and cook beforehand to make your time productive.
Learn to say NO – You don’t have to say yes to every project, party, or activity. WE make the holidays about doing, NOT God!
TLC – Take a little time each day for yourself and do something you truly enjoy. Sit and rest in the presence of the Father. Let Him refresh and renew you.
If you find that you are unable to work through the feelings of sadness or depression, seek prayer from a trusted friend, consult your physician, or go to your pastor for guidance and help.
The holidays are to be a time of joy, peace, and good-will; taking the time to set realistic expectations and re-focusing our attention on the Creator of the holiday is a good start!
These are just a few of the ways that you can prepare yourself for the upcoming holidays. I think it is very important to open up to someone you trust about how you are feeling. If you don't talk to someone, it's easy to retract back into that dark place and to start feeling like no one understands. Once I get to this point, I don't feel like being around anyone and I just want the holidays to pass without being noticed! This is NOT how God intended for our lives to be. He wants us to enjoy the holidays by showing love to one another and by celebrating the birth of his one and only Son. God wants us to be a LIGHT to others and that is one very difficult thing to do if you are closed off in the dark with no one around!
Make a choice this holiday season to stay mentally healthy. Don't over-book yourself by saying you will be in three places at one time. Don't volunteer to make every dish you are a master at. Don't freak yourself out by starting to feel sad and then being over critical of yourself. Do call up a good friend or family member and share your heart. Be transparent and ask for help if you need it. Do find ways to show love and kindness to others without exhausting yourself. If needed, take some time alone and shed a healthy tear or two, but do not dwell in the feelings of sadness...move on.
I pray that all of my friends and family will have a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas! I hope that this holiday season finds you full of joy and sharing the love of Christ. REMEMBER...this moment of sadness or depression will NOT last forever, things will change!!
Here is a little Christmas joy that I wanted to spread! :-)
http://youtu.be/0hYxYxAXTKo
Below are some tips that I discovered at http://www.cbn.com/health/emotionalwellness/rebeltaylor_holidaydepression.aspx
Tips on Overcoming Holiday Depression
Make realistic plans – Don’t stress in attempting to create the Norman Rockwell holiday – a relaxed, cozy Thanksgiving or Christmas with family and friends will create memories for a lifetime. Take time for each of you to share something you are thankful for. Read the Christmas story and talk about the greatest Gift ever given.
Extended families – Plan and schedule visits in advance, communicate openly about expectations, and work together to set a schedule you can all agree on. Create an atmosphere of love and grace for your child.
Negative or sad memories associated with the holidays – First, acknowledge how you feel. Ignoring it won’t make it go away. Sit down and allow yourself a little time to face and express your feelings and emotions, confess them to God, and allow Him to cover you in His grace and mercy. Create a new memory by planning something different and even unexpected.
Singles or Single again – Don’t dread sitting at home alone. Take the initiative and invite others to join you, or ask to join a family for the day. Again, it’s okay to admit you feel lonely or sad, but don’t stay there. Grab a friend and do the unexpected.
Take the focus off of you – Volunteer to serve others at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. We all feel better when we help others, and showing the love of Christ to those less fortunate is a wonderful gift.
Plan – Have a shopping plan or cooking schedule. List similar gifts together and group by stores. Allot yourself a realistic time frame to accomplish each task. Wandering mindlessly from store to store is exhausting and a waste of time. Schedule your time to purchase your groceries and cook beforehand to make your time productive.
Learn to say NO – You don’t have to say yes to every project, party, or activity. WE make the holidays about doing, NOT God!
TLC – Take a little time each day for yourself and do something you truly enjoy. Sit and rest in the presence of the Father. Let Him refresh and renew you.
If you find that you are unable to work through the feelings of sadness or depression, seek prayer from a trusted friend, consult your physician, or go to your pastor for guidance and help.
The holidays are to be a time of joy, peace, and good-will; taking the time to set realistic expectations and re-focusing our attention on the Creator of the holiday is a good start!
These are just a few of the ways that you can prepare yourself for the upcoming holidays. I think it is very important to open up to someone you trust about how you are feeling. If you don't talk to someone, it's easy to retract back into that dark place and to start feeling like no one understands. Once I get to this point, I don't feel like being around anyone and I just want the holidays to pass without being noticed! This is NOT how God intended for our lives to be. He wants us to enjoy the holidays by showing love to one another and by celebrating the birth of his one and only Son. God wants us to be a LIGHT to others and that is one very difficult thing to do if you are closed off in the dark with no one around!
Make a choice this holiday season to stay mentally healthy. Don't over-book yourself by saying you will be in three places at one time. Don't volunteer to make every dish you are a master at. Don't freak yourself out by starting to feel sad and then being over critical of yourself. Do call up a good friend or family member and share your heart. Be transparent and ask for help if you need it. Do find ways to show love and kindness to others without exhausting yourself. If needed, take some time alone and shed a healthy tear or two, but do not dwell in the feelings of sadness...move on.
I pray that all of my friends and family will have a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas! I hope that this holiday season finds you full of joy and sharing the love of Christ. REMEMBER...this moment of sadness or depression will NOT last forever, things will change!!
Here is a little Christmas joy that I wanted to spread! :-)
http://youtu.be/0hYxYxAXTKo
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