BOOMER JOURNEYS

By Alex Carrier, Guest Correspondent http://media.greene-news.com/greenenews/images/uploads/boomerjourneys.jpg
Published: December 4, 2008

‘Tis the season for good will toward men and joy to the world.  Are you just not feeling it?  Does all the ho, ho, ho make you ho-hum?  Are you feeling more Scrooge than Santa?
Each year thousands suffer from the “holiday blues” (HB).  This form of depression can occur with any holiday but is most prevalent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. “The holiday blues” is not usually a major depression, but it can be debilitating and serious enough to be treated with respect.
Change is the main trigger for HB.  With current social and economic conditions, “the holiday blues” may become more prevalent this season and everyone should be aware of what to look for. 
This holiday, all of us will experience one or more of the trigger factors for HB: change in diet, daily routine or sleep habits; inability to be with family; unrealistic expectations or memories of past holidays; over commercialization; fatigue and increased stress. 
Diagnosing and treating HB is more difficult since causes and symptoms are often the same. A person experiencing HB may feel fatigued, be unable to sleep or sleep too much, be anxious, agitated, have headaches and/or trouble concentrating or thinking clearly.  Changes in appetite may lead to weight gain or loss. 
Sufferers may have overwhelming or unwarranted feelings of guilt.  They may lose interest in normally pleasurable activities such as entertainment, family, food, friends, hobbies, sex, or work.  A person with the “holiday blues” may simply find it hard to experience happiness in the holiday. 
As with many medical conditions, lifestyle can greatly affect your risk for getting HB and the severity of the problem if you are affected. When it comes to feeling good, the big three always apply.  Eat right.  Get plenty of sleep.  Exercise regularly. 
Be careful about substances such as alcohol and certain prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications which can be naturally depressive.  Check to make sure depression or any of the other symptoms of the “holiday blues” are not side-effects of your medication. 
Alcohol may temporarily make you feel happy but it is a depressant and can interfere with appetite, sleep and leave you feeling even more depressed.  Like many other easily accessible and legal substances, alcohol can be a form of self-medication – never a good idea especially when dealing with a condition such as depression that can be serious if not treated properly. 
Be realistic with yourself and others, especially during this recession.  Set a budget and stick to it.  Spend only the money you can afford and resist the temptation to take on more debt just to please others. 
Concentrate on the good things in your life.  While reminiscing can be a valuable and enjoyable way to share with others, make it a time of remembrance not regret.
Enjoy free activities and invite friends and family to share them with you.  Create new and less expensive ways to celebrate. 
Get in touch with old friends and create new ones.  Do something for someone else.
Treat yourself as if you were an honored, special guest.  Do something for yourself even if it is nothing more than taking some alone time. 
Give yourself a break.  It is okay and normal to sometimes feel sad or lonely, especially during the holidays and particularly during hard times.  Only if these feelings persist or prevent you from enjoying life or from performing the tasks of daily living should you worry. 
While being sad is a fact of life, being happy is just as normal and important.  Don’t suffer.  Get help for yourself or those you believe are in need.
If it is a mild case of the “holiday blues”, a trip to the family doctor may be the place to start.  If the problem is more serious or the person has thoughts of suicide, call your local crisis hotline.  If the situation is potentially dangerous, call 9-1-1.  The goal is to get everyone safely through to the New Year.  Help yourself and those you love to a happy holiday.