Guam - According to the Mayo Clinic, being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward-off stress and depression and help you enjoy the holidays. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it's easy to get bogged down with your busy schedule and find yourself getting stressed out or even depressed.
When things get really hectic, it's hard to stop and regroup but there are some things you can do to try and prevent stress and depression. If a loved one has recently died or your loved ones are far away, know that it's normal to feel sad. Acknowledge your feelings and take time to cry or express your feelings. If you're feeling lonely, look for community, religious or social events that can provide support and help keep you from feeling isolated. Volunteering and spending time with those less fortunate or the elderly are also great ways to not only help others but lift your spirits as well.
Realize that nothing will always be perfect. Be realistic and know that as families change and grow, so too do traditions and rituals. Be open to creating new traditions with your family and find new ways to celebrate. Stick to a budget and decide what you can afford. Racking up the credit card bills and spending money you don't have is a sure fire way to cause stress when the holidays are over and get you started on the wrong financial foot in the New Year.
Plan ahead and make lists to prevent last minute scrambling to buy the forgotten gift or that one ingredient you need for the baked goods. Take a breather and make time for yourself even if it's just ten to 15 minutes. You can get some fresh air with a walk or listen to some soothing music to help you clear your mind and get you back on track. And if you find that despite all these efforts, you're still feeling persistently sad or anxious resulting in lack of sleep, irritability, and feelings of hopelessness, seek professional help.
While the Holiday Hotline won't be available this year, recreation therapy coordinator Peter Cruz says the Crisis Hotline is still available for those who need someone to talk to. "If individuals have holiday blues, they can still call the Crisis Hotline, they'll get a professional on the other side that will assist them," he said.
Mental Health doesn't have enough staff to supervise the Holiday Hotline, but if you need someone to talk to you can call the Crisis Hotline at 647-8833.