the holiday blues

Welcome to Families Helping Families

of Jefferson monthly live webinars

This free webinar are made possible by the Louisiana Parent Training & Information

Center, a project of Families Helping Families of Jefferson, funded by the U.S.

Department of Education

Addressing and Overcoming the Holiday Blues

Guest Presenter: Nicole McGee, Executive Director of NAMI Louisiana

Your Host: Laura S. Nata

• In-Person trainings

• FHF Jefferson Lending Library

Your invited to join us for some online December Webinars

Ask Karen: On MLTSS, Developmental Disability Services in Louisiana

Parental Rights, What does that mean?

Working it Out: Dispute Resolution under IDEA

Emergency Planning for Special Needs in Active Shooter Events

Next Steps: IFSP to IEP

Bayou Health: Who's In? Who's Out? and Who's Who?

IEP Goals 101: A Guide for Monitoring Student Learning

Basic Rights in Special Education

ESL y Estudiantes Inmigrantes - Inscripción, Acceso al Idioma, y Clase

Register @ www.fhfjefferson.org

Our State Partners…

HOLIDAY BLUESHelpful Tips & Advice

Get The News to Cure Your Holiday Blues

• The holiday season often brings unwelcomed guests – stress and depression. And it’s no wonder. The holidays present a flurrying array of demands. --- parties, shopping, baking, cleaning and entertaining, to name just a few.

• But with some practical and helpful tips, you can minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays. You may even enjoy the holidays more than you thought you would.

What are Holiday Blues?• The Holiday Blues are temporary feelings of

anxiety or depression during the holidays that can be associated with extra stress, unrealistic expectations, or even memories that accompany the season.

• One may feel fatigued, tense, frustrated, lonely, sad or isolated.

• The difference between the Holiday Blues and clinical anxiety and depression is that the feelings are temporary. Though temporary they still should be addressed to avoid long term mental health conditions

Just so you know…

A variety of factors can lead to the Holiday Blues, but it is also important to know when symptoms are a sign of major depression or anxiety. Although the holidays are a time of joy for many, they can trigger symptoms of anxiety and depression to different degrees sometimes requiring medical attention. a recent NAMI survey showed that 64% of people with a diagnosed mental illness report that the holidays make their symptoms worse.

Be Realistic

• The holidays don’t, have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals change as well. Choose a few to hold on to and be open to creating new ones. For example if adult children can’t come to your house, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails, or videos.

Create Your Own Traditions

• Create time for yourself to do things you love. Keep your physical and mental wellness in tact by aerobics exercise, yoga, massage, spiritual practices, taking long fast walks or any activity that calms you down and gives you a better perspective on what is important in your life.

Help Someone Else

• It’s hard to feel down while you are busy helping someone else. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, wrap gifts for unfortunate kids, or spend time with an elderly relative or friend. Instead of feeling glum you’ll find yourself experiencing what the holidays are really about “Giving to others”.

Be Reasonable

• Set attainable and reachable tasks throughout this holiday season. Create an atmosphere that is stress free. Do not overwhelm yourself with numerous tasks. Take it one step at a time.

Be Genuine

• Give from your heart. Let the good cheer of the holiday season bring warmth and sincerity to others. Give out of the kindness of your heart, not just to be giving or getting.

Create a Budget• Before you go gift and food shopping,

decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don’t try to buy happiness with an arm full of gifts. Also, learn to say “No” sometimes.

Plan Ahead• Set specific days for shopping, baking,

visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and make your shopping list. That will prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten items. And make sure you lend a helping hand for party prep and clean up.

Take a Breather• Make some time for yourself. Spending

just 30 minutes alone without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Clear your mind, slow your breathing and restore your inner calm. Seek professional help if you need it.

How do you beat the Holiday Blues?• “ I limit my TV to avoid Christmas

commercials and stay out of the mall. I just attempt to treat the days between Nov. 1 and Jan. 1 as regular days and try not to be swept up into the vortex of sadness.”

• “I always have to put up Christmas lights--the tackier the better! It's important to carry on traditions or start new ones for my children. The sadness that having a broken family can bring around the holidays should not affect my children's memories of Christmas.”

• “Your response here!”

Remember!

The Holiday Blues are short-term, so be patient and take things week by week and day by day

From NAMI Louisiana

ContactNAMI Louisiana307 France Street Suite A Baton Rouge, LA, 70816

Nicole McGeeExecutive Directornmcgee@namilouisiana.org

www.namilouisiana.org