COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) -The holidays are a festive and fun time for many, but the time of year can also come with added stress, deeper feelings of grief, and depression.
“Two key things seem to come to mind more than others this time of year: relationships and finances,” said Damian McCabe, Director of Behavioral Health with UCHealth Southern Colorado. “The fourth Thursday in November through the end of the first week of January seem to be filled with gatherings of family and friends. They cover a range of events celebrating ethnicity, culture, spirituality, nationality and plain old, ‘made it through another year!’”
McCabe understands the gatherings with family and friends can come with as much stress as joy.
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“This holiday period brings extra spending, extra time with relationships we enjoy and some we don’t. It can bring back memories and feelings of joy and loss. It can bring into focus our concern for others and cause us to forget our own needs. In this period of celebration, there are many in our relationship circles and community who are not doing well. Relationships problems, financial problems, and health problems can present in the form of feelings of anxiety, depressed moods, fear and hopelessness,” McCabe said. “This is a time to consider how your individual wellness impacts the way you live your life. It’s a good time to consider speaking to someone who can help. Thinking about both physiological and psychological wellness can be your gift to yourself and your family this year.”
He offered guidance including monitoring your sleep and diet.
“Has your diet changed? Are you eating too much, missing meals, relying on fast food and treats? These questions are good for self-monitoring your stress and wellness this time of the year,” McCabe said.
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The shorter days can change how your body responds to fatigue, hunger, anxiety, and sadness.
“Your motivation to accomplish daily tasks, including going to work or school may not be at the same level it is at other times of the year.
If any of these symptoms or challenges in your relationships begin to cause a mood change, like being quick to anger or increased irritability or perhaps prolonged sadness, you should think about talking to someone you trust. Just talking or processing your thoughts out loud with someone else can be all you need to get back to your normal routine. Find time to get outside and be exposed to the daylight and fresh air. Just spending time admiring the environment around you can help clear your mind of thoughts and problems that just don’t seem to resolve. Left unchecked, these thoughts (worry, fear, anxiety) can develop into more severe conditions,” McCabe said.
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McCabe said it’s okay to be selfish when needed to take care of yourself.
“If mood, or thought symptoms persist more than a week or two, it may be time to see your primary care provider or a counselor. Many times, a few sessions of counselling may be all a person needs to get through this period of the year. Your primary care provider can refer you to a reputable counselor and may even have a specialist within their practice,” McCabe said.
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