How to Battle the Holiday Blues

There's nothing more challenging than dealing with the holiday blues at a time when everyone else appears to be so happy. Here are some tips to help you battle the blues.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Sometimes watching the mountain of idealistic holiday movies that abound at this time, get us to thinking our lives are less than perfect, and that can be a real downer. But our lives seem less than perfect, because they ARE less than perfect. It's the movies that are portraying an unrealistic view of life. Try to keep them in perspective, or maybe skip them altogether this season, and just enjoy your life as you make your new memories.

2. Concentrate on those things that bring you joy this season. Try not to get caught up in situations that drain you. Losing ourselves in helping others enjoy the season can be fun but also zap you as well.

3. The seasons tend to signal not just the change in season, but tend to get us reflect on our lives in general -- who has passed, who is no longer around, who you miss. Sometimes donating your time to help others will help if this is the case (for example, donating to the homeless, to the troops, or answering Dear Santa letters).

4. Cry, if you need to. Sometimes, we hold it in for way too long. And then wonder why we feel teary-eyed at the drop of a hat. Crying is a beautiful gift we've been given. And odds are, you'll feel so much better afterwards.

[arianacherry99]

on 12/6/2008 Nice article. Sometimes the holidays can be hard for some. This has some helpful tips...Good job.

[mgonza12]

on 12/2/2008 My heart goes out to you. I'm sure that must be very difficult. I lost my dad a long time ago so I can sort of relate.

[leanan]

on 12/2/2008 Thank you for this, I lost both of my parents and this time of year can really get to me.