Traditionally, the holidays are associated with feelings of happiness and gratitude. We are inundated with images of perfect families and their perfect holiday gatherings.
If “trying” to feel jolly just makes you feel bummed during the holidays, you are in good company. The statistics for holiday depression are extremely high. Despite the desire to have a happier season, the holidays can carry an emotional punch for those with negative past associations or loss.
A simple definition for the Holidays Blues is:
A feeling of sadness, loneliness, depression, and even anxiety that often occurs in and around the holiday season.
Although experiencing the Holiday Blues can be emotional, intense, and upsetting, they tend to be short-term, lasting, at the most, about two weeks. (That is, if you were not depressed before the season started.) I find in my practice that the seasonal blahs generally get better once the holiday season is over and clients get back into their normal daily routine.
Feeling low during the holidays can be exacerbated because it seems socially unacceptable to be sad or depressed at this time. If you feel blue this holiday, make a conscious effort to drink mindfully, as alcohol is a depressant. Sharing your gifts and talents with those less fortunate is also guaranteed to lift your spirits. Honor your feelings by setting aside time to journal about your experience and consider attending a Blue Christmas Service. (To find one in your city, Google “Blue Christmas Service.”) Sometimes, the best way to de-stress is to accept where you are temporarily and give yourself permission and time, without judgment, to move through it. Naming, honoring, and feeling feelings inspire release, making space for something better.
Make a conscious choice to focus on healing your mind, body, and spirit this holiday season. I have included a gift for you to help you stay grounded in your healing. I hope you like it.
Click Here for a Healing Guided Meditation
I am wishing you calm and a sense of well being this holiday season and all year long!
Love Love Love
Terri
Terri Cole, founder and CEO of Live Fearless and Free, is a licensed psychotherapist, transformation coach, and an expert at turning fear into freedom. A cornerstone of Terri’s practice, meditation, was the impetus for her recently released guided mediation CD Meditation Transformation. Terri can be found on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.
Hey NYC Positively Positive Peeps! Join us THIS Saturday, December 15 for Liver-Palooza!
A fundraiser for my sister’s liver transplant
December 15th. 2:00 pm. The Mercedes Club (550 W. 54th, NYC).
An afternoon of amazing people gathering for an amazing cause! Bid on auction items like a seat to Marie Forleo’s B-School, a Personal Fire Starter Session with Danielle LaPorte, a year’s membership to Tara Stiles’ Strala Yoga, a 1-on-1 Session with Kris Carr, just to name a few…Shop for books, CDs, jewelry, and other perfect presents…Sweat with an Intensati workout from Patricia Moreno…Meditate with DavidJi…Enjoy yummy food and giveaways…
*Photo by db Photography | Demi-Brooke.
