Handling the Holiday Blues

Do you ever find yourself struggling with the "Holiday Blues?" It's interesting to me how the holiday season is supposed to be "the most wonderful time of the year," yet for many the Christmas season is a reminder of past abuse, loneliness, rejection, abandonment, disappointment and depression.

According to River Hills Health Care, Inc., here are some common holiday "blues" triggers: Loss of loved ones who are no longer around to share the holidays; Grown children who are unable or unwilling to visit or call due to their own holiday responsibilities; The extra stress of shopping, parties, cooking, visiting, house guests, and other holiday obligations; Tragedy or sadness from previous experiences during the holidays such as arguments, death, health problems, abuse or divorce; Change in social or family status such as the loss of a job.

So, how do we handle the holiday blues and stay focused on the real reason for the season? Here are seven tips for handling the challenges the holidays bring:

1. Surround yourself with positive life-giving people - Joy is contagious, get around some "infected" people and catch the virus of joy. We become like the people we spend time with. The Bible notes that Barnabas' name means "The son of encouragement."
2. Don't live in the past - Stop longing for "the good ole' days," they weren't as good as you think. We tend to have selective memory when it comes to the past. We forget about how conflicted we were at 17. We forget about hormones, acne, Stridex Pads and Clearasil! We hated 17 and yet we look back on those days and only remember the good things!
3. Try something new - Make some new memories. Create new history and traditions. Do something you've never done before! Decorate your office, dorm room, apartment or house. Put up some lights!
   
4. Keep you expectations realistic - Don't set the bar so high for your family, yourself and others. If you have a "perfect" Christmas experience in mind, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. Your weird uncle who was at your house last year will still be weird this year! Face it, 99% of the families on the planet are dysfunctional. Learn to laugh and lighten up. It's a reality, so go with the flow and love them anyway and determine to laugh through the weirdness.
5. Do something for someone else - Give cookies or goodies to someone who would never expect it. Surprise your coworkers with treats or small inexpensive gifts. Shock value is good!
6. Don't go into debt - Communicate with your family and friends. Be honest with them. We made the decision to buy for the kids only. When you contact them about it they will probably be as relieved as you are. The holidays are more about family than presents.
7. Feast on God's word not just holiday sweets - Enjoy your first cup of coffee with God and his word. There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. Read one proverb a day through the month of December. The Proverbs are short and practical sayings that are as relevant today as the day they were penned.

I hope this helps and encourages you this holiday season. It's my heart to give you hope for the holidays. The last thing we need are more Scrooges and Grinches this Christmas! Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season!

Have an Amazing Day!
Jimmy