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The Equality Herald - East Tennessee's source for LGBT community news |
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Post-holiday letdown can lead to depression Tips for taking care of yourself by Beth Maples-Bays, RN, BSN and Nancy Mott, MS, EdS Health columnists The tree is down. The parties are over. The post- Did you get more snide remarks from Uncle Jeff about your marital status, separate sleeping arrangements for you and your partner, family photographs that do not include your family members, and yet another round of suggestions from Aunt Suzy on how you can make yourself look more feminine? Add to that the enormous societal pressures to celebrate a holiday that may or may not coincide with your religious beliefs, and you have a recipe for a stressful brew of psychic toxins that can get to the strongest among us. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and post-holiday We are as susceptible to those problems as any other
group of people. When you add to that the minority stress of living life
in the conservative atmosphere of Middle and East Tennessee, the odds of
struggling with depression multiply rapidly. Lack of family acceptance,
fear of disclosure, feelings of rejection on many levels, internalized
oppression that prevents us from fully embracing ourselves and our
partners – all can add up to a formula for
The question then is how to overcome these emotional obstacles without the disastrous aftermath. The answers are as varied as the people who ask them, but there are some tips that can help most people. · Value yourself – Don't depend on others' views of you to form your self worth. GLBT PRIDE is no one-day thing; it's for all the time. · Pace yourself –Be gentle and loving to yourself: Get enough rest and sleep, eat right, give yourself moments of quiet and peace. · Set realistic expectations – Perfectionism is a recipe for disappointment. · Learn to say “no” – If an invitation adds too much to your schedule, politely decline it, even if it is your beloved Aunt Suzy who is asking. Begin to omit venues that you know make you feel unwelcome or where your partner is not welcome. This sounds very difficult to do when it’s your Mom on the other end of the phone. · Pay the bills – Even if you were tempted into overspending, set a fixed amount to pay off that credit card debt that is as much over the minium as your budget allows. It’s all too easy to overspend when you want to show your love for others by the purchase of that perfect gift, but the bills come now are a major contributor to post-holiday blues. Next year, know your limits and stick to them. · Surround yourself with supportive friends and family – Whether they are chosen or biological family members, connect with the people who offer acceptance. They will increase your joy and decrease your stress. · Working off those extra pounds – All those invitations to parties and dinners can result in horrible hangovers, excess weight, and physical exhaustion. Find a healthy regimen of reasonable nutrition and rest · Go outside in the sunlight – While there are all kinds of gadgets and gizmos for increasing your ultraviolet exposure in the winter months, simply walking outside in the brisk December air will do wonders. It sends what I call “life signals” to your brain and is a good defense against depression. The movement and the light work together to let your body know that all is well. · Find a confidant – You combination of the two elements. Humans are complex beings. Our psychosocial health is vital to our well-being. Look for LGBTQ-friendly counselors in the phone book or gay publications. Their expertise lies in knowing your needs in addition to their general counseling credentials. Be sure to be very clear about financial arrangements before you begin this type of relationship. Enjoy your post-holiday season rest. It can be more beneficial than you may imagine. Nancy Mott is a Licensed Professional Counselor with expertise in counseling LGBT clients. She can be reached at (865) 637-8801 or nmott@nxs.net. |
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holiday
letdown can be stressful for many. After anticipating our family
gatherings with joy and anticipation, they may not have been as uplifting
as we had hoped.
depression are well known psychological maladies that can strike
regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. SAD is a mood
disorder associated with the winter months and the decreasing sunlight in
that season. As winter turns to spring, sufferers often notice an
alleviation of their symptoms. Young persons and women are at higher risk.
Post-holiday depression is the sometimes-ongoing “blue” feeling that many
people feel when the hubbub and holiday activities crash to a halt in
January.
depression
of varying severity.
