Stress Management: Cope with Depression Around the Holidays

Cope with depression around the holidays by strategizing on how to deal with your emotions. With a bit of forethought, you can enter into a season meant for celebration on a high note. Do:

1- Seek help.
Before Thanksgiving rolls around, find a support group or counselor. Don't wait until you have a breakdown after your mother criticizes the way you keep house and raise your children. Get help now, so you have someone to call for a word of encouragement.

2- Get organized.
Cope with depression around the holidays by getting organized. Make a budget and stick to the figures on the paper. Be realistic about cleaning and remodeling your home. Remember, your friends and family are coming to see you, not what you have in your house. As a result, you don't have to go overboard trying to impress anyone.

3- Set boundaries.
Prepare to say "no" to those people in your life who ignore your feelings and generally disrespect you. Talk to them prior to your first holiday gathering and set some boundaries. Take charge and quit being a patsy.

4- Apologize to family.
Have an ongoing grudge with a family member? Be the bigger person and apologize. This act will help you cope with depression around the holidays because you won't have to deal with the tension of relating to someone you're angry with. Also, you won't have to sit around justifying why someone's a jerk and you deserve to treat him or her poorly.

5- Talk to your children.
Before Saint Nick comes down your chimney, talk to your children. Tell them what you can and cannot do in the way of gifts. Then, ask your offsprings what one thing would make their holidays bright. You might be surprised; their answers could be relatively inexpensive and doable on your budget.

6- Get around other people.
Single? Live alone? Cope with depression around the holidays by going around other people. Plan to visit the nearest relative (or good friend). If this isn't possible, be a maverick and volunteer your services. Help feed the homeless and get an in-your-face look at how great your life really is.

7- Make peace with you.
Part of the stress of the holidays is that being around one's family brings up past hurts and current failings. Do yourself a favor and make peace with you. Accept the best and worst parts of your self and make no apologies. Then, focus on loving the people who come across your path in the same way.

These 7 things will help you cope with depression around the holidays. Use them and enjoy the best of one of the busiest periods of the year.