If you are one who develops depression during the holiday season-but you're fairly normal the rest of the time-there are some simple tricks to pulling yourself out of it.
First of all, if you have some bad holiday memories, don't go there.
Don't even allow yourself the luxury of thinking about those times...
you can't afford it.
If the depression is because you are alone and don't want to be, go be with people.
True, it's not the same as being in a loving relationship but it's better than being alone.
It might be a good idea to stay away from couples though; why torture yourself? If your loved one died during the holidays, it might be best to go take a vacation somewhere completely opposite to the time it happened.
If it happened in snow country, go to the desert or a tropical area.
If it happened in a warm area, go spend the holidays in snow country.
Do everything different and create new memories.
Change your holiday traditions, even down to the type of holiday meals you consume.
This may sound weird but if your loved one died from choking on a turkey sandwich the day after Christmas, maybe you should avoid having turkey; switch to ham or goose.
Make sure whatever you switch to is a real treat and make that your new holiday dinner.
Avoid people and situations that remind you of whatever situational depression you have.
Listen to uplifting music, watch movies that make you laugh with delight, and just generally do fun things that take your mind off the depressing memories.
Really now...
don't you think that if you wallow in difficult memories the depression will get worse? So change your mind, do things that will help yourself feel better, and get on with life.
The holiday season is a time of natural darkness, when the days are the shortest and the night is longest.
All over the world it is considered that the winter solstice is the time of going back into the light.
Once the longest night is past, we move into greater and greater light, which is symbolized by the lighting of candles and sharing that light with others.
Create a ritual of light for yourself by having a winter solstice party and giving gifts of nice candles to all of your guests.
Celebrate the sharing of good food, good times and friendship.
Do something for others and it will take the attention off of your own problems.
In every moment of our lives, we have the choice of how we will proceed.
By choosing to change things we choose a better way of moving through life.
It's like a declaration of good intention for the rest of our time on this Earth.
©2010Dr.
Valerie OlmstedAll Rights Reserved