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Guest Blogger David Fisher Writes About the Holiday Blues

In this post, guest blogger David Fisher, MFT, writes about the holiday blues and how to heal them.

I'm going to interrupt my series on individual therapists to introduce a respected colleague, David Fisher, MFT.  David and I have worked together for many years and he accepted my invitation to write an occasional guest column on this blog.  Today his message is a timely one, dealing with the "holiday blues."  I'll be back next week.

David writes:

What Are the Holiday Blues?

We’re all enjoying the warmth and closeness of family and friends during this “season of joy”, right? Then how come so many people get “the blues”? The contrast between the festive mood surrounding you and your own ‘blah’ feeling naturally makes you wonder why you’re not ‘feeling it’. The Holiday Blues like all blues, is like a fever. Just as a fever is a sign that something is not quite right physically, the Holiday Blues could be a sign that something is not quite right emotionally.

For parents the holidays blues is about the children. Parents want to make everything right for the holidays. They wish the hurts, rivalries and misunderstanding which all families experience, will magically vanish during the holidays. When they don’t parents feel that somehow they have failed. This leads to disappointment and the blues.

The holiday blues is about money.  The recession and slow recovery created unemployment or underemployment for many. People can’t afford things they once could. The message of the season is ‘buy, buy, buy.’  The emphasis on looking good in the eyes of others instead of relating in a genuine way often brings on the holiday blues.

The holiday blues is about alcohol. People drink to celebrate the holidays. There are often many gatherings where there is an expectation to drink, and subtle, or not so subtle, pressures to drink more then you normally do. Perhaps the memory of a previous holiday when a family member went from ‘Dr. Jekyll’ to ‘Mr. Hyde’ reminds you that the holidays were not always happy times.  Some people drink more then they should to cope with tension from all the pressures of the season. Since alcohol is a depressant, it’s no surprise — they’ve got the holiday blues.

The holiday blues is about loneliness and grief. We remember loved ones who are no longer with us. We miss the holiday rituals we shared, like decorating the Christmas tree or lighting Chanukkah candles. Their absence during these activities is a sad reminder of how much we miss them.  If you are single you might have the blues because you don’t have a special person with whom to share holiday activities.

So here’s a few helpful hints to deal with the Holiday Blues. Make a list of pleasurable activities and make time to incorporate them into your busy holiday schedule.

A healthy diet, exercise and adequate rest are a remedy for the blues.

For parents of young children keeping to everyday routines as much as possible is reassuring and reduces stress.

If you know someone who is a good listener share your feelings about your holiday blues.

Most of all, take time out to help others. You can be that good listener. If you’ve achieved sobriety, you can help someone still struggling with alcohol abuse. There are many gifts you can give to those less fortunate then you, that don’t involve money.

That’s how you beat the holiday blues!

David Fisher is a licensed Marriage  and Family Therapist with offices in Pleasant Hill and Berkeley.  He can be reached at davidafisherlmft@gmail.com.  Visit his website at davidafisherlmft.info.

Next week Josh writes about:  how does talking help someone get better?

Do you have a question about struggles with your partner or within yourself? Is there a particular topic on relationships or individual psychological issues you would like addressed in this blog? Ask Josh in the comments below or email him at josh@joshgressel.com.

Josh Gressel, Ph.D., is a couples and individual therapist based in Pleasant Hill. Visit his website at joshgressel.com.  He is accepting new referrals.

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Chris J Kapsalis December 13, 2012 at 10:59 pm
I like to put on some bright lights and music and make coffee or tea and clean house in the winter. Keeping a clean house and being organized seem to help me. And volunteering, helping out others is always good. Find out how to volunteer at a nursing home or help someone who might not be able to clean their house or yard clean it. It makes them feel better, and it is amazing what this does. Also just having someone visit. I am not sure if there is an organization that can screen volunteers and help older people or disabled peopel clean up, but there needs to be. Many do,help neighbors, family. Elderly. but one thing, we really need to respect the older peopel and help them out more than we do.
Dive Turn Work December 14, 2012 at 02:08 am
I relieve the holiday blues by looking around for any grandmas who've been run over by a reindeer.
Kenny December 14, 2012 at 01:51 pm
Going to Maui over the holidays makes my eyes twinkle.
Joe Feltcher December 14, 2012 at 03:23 pm
I would love Hawaii if it weren't for that fact that it is overrun with Hawaiians.
"The Black Panther of Poetry" December 14, 2012 at 05:26 pm
"I rest my case people"
"In the Blackest lie and in the whitest fright No racism shall escape this Black mans' Sight Let those who practice their Racist Rite Beware my pen When this Black man writes!!! May God be with the families in Connecticut!!!
Joe Feltcher December 14, 2012 at 06:10 pm
"May God be with the families in Connecticut!!!"
Where was he this morning?
ROBERT E. FISHBACK December 31, 2012 at 05:38 pm
The human family gathered around; looking for love, which they all found; Color blind they could be, after all, we are you and me....But a note of discord rattled their ease.... And under a nose,... was a piece of swiss cheese... Something stinks, he seemed to say....I removed the cheese and his stink went away. (Beware the pen when a human writes)
ROBERT E. FISHBACK December 31, 2012 at 06:04 pm
OK..I hope to strike a deal...I feel very well for an older fella..Glad Christmas is over. Really nice of you to ask...now..how do you feel...sign your name B
ROBERT E. FISHBACK December 31, 2012 at 06:26 pm
Back to Holiday Blues...BTW,,,very cool blue axe ! The real culprit is the mind set that we are supposed to be happy and joyful. The illusion that every one else is happy while you grieve. Lot's of effusive joy and warmth. Let me tell you a true story. A man contributed to Reminisce (sp) magazine and spoke of his most Memorable Christmas. The depression was on and many were almost broke, This man, when a boy, went outside to a snow covered and bitterly cold Iowa land scape. No Christmas tree, no presents that year. A man up the road dresssed up in a Santa Suit and drove his team of horses pulling a sleigh. Ho Ho Ho, he said. Then, he reached into his bag and threw a big red apple out and it landed at the boys feet. That, he said, was the most precious gift he ever received. Look around and wait...God is going to send an "apple" your way.
MIKE ALFORD January 1, 2013 at 02:19 am
Its a state of mind --- It is what it is ----- I Dont Get It ? --- If You Have the Holiday Blues You Have no one To Blame But Reality ---- Suck It Up --- No Booze & No Drug Is Going To Cure Reality ---- Just Be Happy Your Here --- Life Is A Gift --- Be Thankfull That Your An American And Start The New Year Out By Looking In The Mirror If You see Something You Dont Like Smile & Change It ! Thank God YouR Here ! ------------------- Oh Yea --------- HAPPY NEW YEAR !
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
B.J. Britton May 29, 2013 at 11:42 am
Dislike new format, not easy to navigate.
B.J. Britton May 29, 2013 at 11:43 am
What, format not compatible with Internet Explorer? Major error on your part.
Leezhere May 29, 2013 at 12:28 pm
I use Firefox, so the browser isn't the culprit...mostly I just dislike that I can no longer see theRead More article topics in the first lines of my email notifications.
Emily Henry (Editor) May 21, 2013 at 09:27 am
Yes, Ken, it looks like a lot of fun! Here's information about the June 29 Pleasant Hill Family CampRead More Out: http://pleasanthill.patch.com/groups/local-connections/p/pleasant-hill-families-to-camp-out-june-29