10-24-99
Holiday/ Millennium Blues
"It is barely the mid of October, just got done paying the
credit card charges for our family’s short Summer vacation, and guess
what? the Holiday Season is here again. You can see it, smell it, hear
it, and feel it all around you. You just can’t escape it, and it is
driving me crazy already."
Such
a characterization is commonly heard this time of the year. Major shopping
malls and individual stores are already in full gear for the major holidays
of the season...Christmas, Hanukkah, and not to forget Thanksgiving
and Halloween. The decorations are out, the stores are loading up with
the new merchandise which marketers hope you would buy this season,
and soon we will be watching and listening to commercials and jingles
reminding us "its the season to be jolly and spend and spend without
the pangs of guilt." I am already stressed out! Aren’t you?
What
normally should be a time of joyfulness and celebration, often turns
out to be a wretched experience marked by feelings of lonesomeness,
sadness, and depression, all of which are manifestations of a condition
known to mental health professionals as the holiday blues or
holiday depression.
The
anxieties and stress of a normal holiday are further compounded this
season by the fears and uncertainties associated with the new century.
Afraid of what may happen at mid night on December 31, 1999, many of
us are planning to be on the ground, and preferably in the safety of
our own homes where we have easy access to our stocked food pantries
and cash boxes. Add this dose of Y-2K paranoia and you get a wild case
of Millennium Blues that is spreading around fast.
What are holiday blues and millennium
blues?
Holiday
blues begin festering around this time of the year, and are often short
lived, lasting for few days or weeks after the holiday season is over.
What is usually a normal response to a stress-filled time of the year,
this year may witness a stronger epidemic due to the Y-2K paranoia.
Although it is often short lived, this condition if not well managed,
can have a catastrophic impact on one’s health, job situation, family
life, and overall social interaction.
What are the causes of holiday
and millennium blues?
Several
factors contribute to the intensity of the temporary state of depression
experienced this time of the year. The most frequently noted causes
of this condition are:
Excessive debts and improper budgeting
Perfectionism
Unrealistic expectations, and perceptions of unrealistic expectations
of relevant others
Time crunch, and inability to be with loved ones during the
holiday season
Unpleasant memories of past holiday seasons brought out by
a breakup, separation, divorce, death, or moving away.
Unexpected or recent changes in roles... new job, new relationship,
loss of a loved one, etc.
Chronic fatigue
Change in diet
High need to please
Major symptoms of holiday blues:
Holiday
blues may impact people differently, however, the most common symptoms
seems to be the following:
Persistent anxiety
Sleep irregularity... excessive sleeping to inability to sleep
Headaches
Feelings of inadequacy and guilt
Changes in appetite....loss of appetite or over eating
Loss of concentration and ability to think clearly
Diminished interest in socialization and being with others.
How to manage this year’s holiday
blues?
Things you should do:
Prepare for the holidays. It is often said that
those who fail to plan, plan to fail. Putting together an early
plan of action will minimize the intensity and duration of the holiday
blues.
Set realistic goals NOW. Whether it involves
your time, your money, or any other resource, make a list of all
that you need to do, make, buy, or have. Then prioritize these goals.
Don’t be overly hard on yourself; that could cause you discouragement.
Include in your goals doing something for someone
else. If children are in the household, include them in selecting
a "service opportunity". This could be a needy family,
a depressed person, an elderly person, or a not-for-profit community
agency. Doing something for someone who is less fortunate could
lift up your spirit and give you hope.
Include in your plans, time with family and loved
ones. You will be surprised at how much you can save on children
toys or presents, if you schedule more time with family. Most sensible
children and adults would rather have some quality time with their
loved ones plus some inexpensive presents, than having expensive
presents and be left alone.
Treat yourself to something special this season...
This could be a special meal, a special purchase, a special event.
It needs not be overly expensive, but it should be something of
value for you.
Take in some free activities....preferably away
from shopping malls or stores .... activities in a community park,
at a church, synagogue, or school. You can save money, meet new
people and have fun.
Watch your diet, exercise, and get a lot of rest.
Improper eating, insufficient sleep and lack of exercise contribute
significantly to holiday blues.
Consider doing more of your holiday shopping
on the Internet or from catalogs. This process could save you time
and money, and could minimize the amount of impulse buying often
done in stores.
Things NOT to do!
Do not have unrealistic expectations of yourself or other
people in your life.
Do not make any promises, implied or explicit, that you can
not fulfill without undue pressure on your time, energy, or finances.
Do not spend money that you do not have.
Do not overindulge in food or drink. Alcohol, Excessive sugar
and fat could further accentuate the holiday blues condition.
Do not spend too much time by yourself especially around the
actual Holidays. Some introspective time is often useful, but lengthy
solitary times could exacerbate melancholy and depression.
How to prepare for Y-2K and manage
the Millennium blues
Beginning November 1, 1999, whenever
you go to the store for groceries, buy a little more of what you
normally buy and store it away. Plan on having by mid December enough
to feed your family for a month.
Stockpile a reasonable supply of
prescription medications. You may do best to fill in a December
prescription through mail order and get three months supply.
Print out a hard copy of all relevant
financial information, in case your computer malfunctions.
Ask your doctor for a copy of your
medical record he/she has on their computer.
Make sure you keep a copy of your
most recent bank statement and investment portfolio summary. Minimize
the number of transactions in December, and keep a copy of all deposit
receipts and withdrawals made after your November 30 statements.
Keep on hand one or two months supply
of cash in small bills.
Collaborate with your neighbors to
protect your neighborhood. Middle and upper class communities will
be target areas for criminals who will break in for cash, and other
desirables.
Store enough drinking water for a
month.
Keep around more than one flashlight
and few packs of batteries.
If you own an RV, have the propane
tank and gas tank filled, and stock it with food and water.
Gas your vehicles
Prepare a list of all emergency organizations
in your neighborhood.
Prepare enough reading material for
the holiday in case your radio and television quit working.
Plan now to have a relaxed stress-free
millennium turnover.
Plan
today to enjoy the coming holiday. Remember that some stress at this
time of the year, and the end of a millennium is normal. The choices
that you make today and throughout this holiday season could impact
the duration and intensity of stress and depression that you may experience.
If any of the symptoms mentioned above persist, please check with your
physician, or call our offices at (630) 850-2120. A trained therapist
will assist you.
Happy
Holidays, and a very prosperous and stress-free millennium from all
of us at Salt Creek Therapy Center....For A Balanced Life.
Disclaimer
This material is provided for informational
purposes only. None of the information provided in this site is to replace
a timely visit with a health care provider or your behavioral health
professional.
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