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Holiday Blues - Some Help for the Holiday Season

The Christmas season can stir up a variety of feelings for most people.  Some of those feelings may include depression, worry and unhappiness with your relationship.  Many people find that therapy helps them cope with their feelings at this difficult time of year.

For many, the holiday season stirs up memories of happy times from the past, or of  painful, unhappy times. For those who remember pleasant childhood holidays, they may be surprised at how different they are feeling this year.  For others, they may have had so many unhappy holidays, that just noticing what time of year it is, triggers  feelings of unhappiness.

For couples, any feelings of holiday unhappiness may increase their frustration with their partner.  Many people feel hopeless that things can ever change in their relationship.  This is especially true if attraction for your spouse has been slowly fading away. 

There are many things that can help with holiday blues.  Many of them are common sense ways of taking care of your self:

     - Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep

     - Eat healthy.  Balance any holiday indulgences in sweets with plenty of fresh fruits  and vegetables afterwards.

     - Don't increase your alcohol intake, even though it is the holiday season.

     - Don't isolate from friends.  Continue to call them and get together with them.  If you don't have friends, get out of the house where you will be around people.

     - As difficult a time as it may be, remind yourself that you will get through it.

     - Consider talking to a therapist.

For relationship problems: Don't make any sudden decisions this month.  Seek out professional help if you are falling out of love with your spouse, or if you are both in frequent conflict.

Please see some of the other articles on this website for suggestions regarding depression or unhappy relationships.

 If you have any questions about this article, contact Don Wallach, MFT at his website:  www.donwallach.com or call at (415) 339-7890 or (707) 583-2305.