December 14, 2015

Got the Holiday Blues?

Got the Holiday Blues?

The holidays are often a bittersweet time of year. Amid all of the parties, family gatherings, and general joyousness, there can be some strong feelings of loneliness, financial stress, and annoyance. For the menopausal women, you may experience triple the annoyance when you’re the only one having a hot flash while standing in freezing cold weather.
Here are seven suggestions on ways to beat the holiday blues and get more joy out of the holiday season:

  1. Reduce your stress! Don’t bog yourself down with giant to-do lists. Take a critical look at your holiday planning list. Are you expecting too much out of yourself? Be more realistic, pair it down!
  2. Chill out. Try TM (Transcendental Meditation). Many medical professionals, corporate executives, even celebrities meditate twice a day for 20 min. These few minutes will change your day and your life.
  3. Don’t let your Type-A personality take over. Keep that chick under control! So what if the cookies look like a third grader made them! Every single thing does not have to be perfect to still be fun and delicious!  Nobody is as bothered by your imperfections as you are. Remember that.
  4. Life sometimes gives us lemons, really bad drivers, and grumpy salespeople. Don’t let others rattle you and let the experience go immediately. More than likely they are having a really bad day and just need a smile or someone to be nice to them. Don’t sweat the small stuff (unless of course you are hot flashing).
  5. Laughter relieves tension. It’s like getting an emotional massage. Do it, and do it often, even if you have to watch funny movies or think of something naughty and awful to get those lips curled up into a smile. Laughter truly is the best medicine. My favorite new TV show is Crazy Ex-Girlfriend on Monday nights on the CW. It’s a hilarious musical comedy. (Rachel Bloom just got nominated for a Golden Globe!!) Check it out!
  6. Exercise!  I can’t stress this one enough (no stress intended). Exercise benefits don’t just hit the body. They’ve got the mind covered too. In addition to treating, insomnia, and weight gain, exercise may be effective at treating depression, according to a review published in The Cochrane Library. Exercise raises your fitness and feel-good endorphin levels, increasing energy while slashing tension, anger, and fighting menopausal depression. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, scientists have found that regular participation in aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease overall levels of tension, elevate and stabilize mood, improve sleep, and improve self-esteem. They say just five minutes of aerobic exercise can begin to stimulate anti-anxiety effects.
  7. Life is not a fairytale or Pinterest Post. Don’t feel pressure to be happy. The holidays can be a lonely and sad time. You could be grieving the loss of a loved one, friend or a relationship.  My beloved Mom passed away this past summer. These first holidays without her are very difficult, indeed. If you are feeling lonely, that’s okay. Acknowledge it, and reflect on it. Do not isolate yourself.  Check out the holiday events at your neighborhood. Consider volunteering to help at your church or a charity of your choice. According to Harvard Medical School, volunteering may be good for the body and the mind.

If you think you may be dealing with depression, and not just a case of holiday blues, then be sure to reach out and get help.

This season, get more joy out of the holidays!

Wishing you the happiest, merriest, and healthiest holiday ever!

Remember: Suffering in silence is OUT! Reaching out in IN!

Click here to download my free eBook, MENOPAUSE MONDAYS The Girlfriend’s Guide To Surviving and Thriving During Perimenopause and Menopause.

15 Comments

  1. Cheryl Nicholl December 15, 2015 at 8:52 am - Reply

    Great advice for ANY time of year. Thank you for the reminder.

    • Ellen Dolgen December 15, 2015 at 9:43 am - Reply

      Glad you found them helpful, Cheryl. Enjoy the holidays with your beautiful family.

  2. sheryl December 15, 2015 at 9:26 am - Reply

    All great reminders for a time of year that can make even the calmest among us stressed out!

  3. Carolann December 15, 2015 at 9:39 am - Reply

    I especially love number 7. So many of us get pressured by the perfect pics and FB posts. It’s all hogwash! What a great post! Thanks so much for sharing this info. IT’s so important esp for those of us in the throws of the beast! lol Merry Christmas!

    • Ellen Dolgen December 15, 2015 at 9:42 am - Reply

      I agree, Carolann! Thos pix are “hogwash”! Happy holidays to you and yours.

  4. ccassara December 15, 2015 at 12:13 pm - Reply

    Yes, it really is the time of year when many get the blues. And that pressure to be happy? I think many feel it. Thanks for a good reminder today.

    • Ellen Dolgen December 16, 2015 at 7:42 am - Reply

      I think if we acknowledge that it is okay not to be happy every second -we can have a less stressful more joyful month. Sending wishes for a healthy new year to you and yours!

  5. Tam Warner Minton December 15, 2015 at 12:25 pm - Reply

    Lessen your stress. I’d love to. Sometimes life circumstances are such that stress becomes the norm. But I need to get back to yoga.

    • Ellen Dolgen December 16, 2015 at 7:39 am - Reply

      I know what you mean by the “new normal”. Yoga is a wonderful idea. It is great for you physically and mentally. Go for it!

  6. Elin Stebbins Waldal December 15, 2015 at 5:30 pm - Reply

    What a timely post, Ellen. Life is not a Pinterest post, indeed. You are so right that the holiday season can be a challenge for people who, like you, are experiencing a first without a loved one. Wishing you the best this year.

    • Ellen Dolgen December 16, 2015 at 7:38 am - Reply

      Thanks, Elin. I am focusing on the wonderful memories of years past and making new ones with my sweet 16 month old granddaughter. She is pure joy, love and giggles.

  7. Ellen Dolgen December 15, 2015 at 7:25 pm - Reply

    Thanks, Elin! Wishing you a joyous holiday!

  8. Wendy Cushing December 16, 2015 at 12:19 am - Reply

    Great tips once again! Thanks! I learned long ago to say no and focus on family and what really matters and to enjoy it.

    • Ellen Dolgen December 16, 2015 at 7:36 am - Reply

      That is great advice! Thanks for reminding us to focus on what is important! Happy Holidays!

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