COPD Support and Holiday Blues

christmasgift

An article by the President of COPD Support, Inc - Carolyn Krall

The Holidays are looming closer, things are not looking up at least in some of our minds. Finances and Health are not what they used to be and believe it or not we are our own worst enemy when it comes to expectations.

Here is a something I put together for a Topic Chat on Holiday Depression and Stress, that I would like to share with all of you.

For those who celebrate, have a pleasant and stress free Holiday

Carolyn

*****************

Holiday Depression & Stress

The holiday season is a time full of joy, cheer, parties, and family gatherings. However, for many people, it is a time of self-evaluation, loneliness, reflection on past failures, and anxiety about an uncertain future.

Does any of this sound familiar? Most of us at one time or another has felt depressed or sad at Holiday times for one reason or another. But that can happen even more frequently with those of us with chronic illnesses. We all know that “things just ain’t what they used to be!

Many things can cause the “Holiday Blues” Unrealistic expectations, knowing we can’t do either physically or monetarily as we are used to do, being separated by loved ones by distance or death, being alone whether it is the first time or the 10th time.

Along with or by itself we can experience extra headaches, fatigue, sleepless nights, inappropriate eating or drinking habits and for many of us longing for that cigarette! And just because Jan 1 hits doesn’t mean that the “Holiday Blues” will automatically go away. This is a time of reflection…..did I do enough….did I help enough…was I a hindrance to family fun…the list can go on and on. But we all know that hind sight is 20/20.

What can we do to help ourselves?

Well first and foremost we have to remember that the Holidays are a joyful time. And if we are stressing about trying to do it all it will make us and our families miserable. Instead of stressing we need to remember to pace. Know your limits and for those of you with grown up children, let them show you that yes they can really, really cook. It can be done! If the dressing turns out to be Stove Top at least you have dressing! If push comes to shove there are a few restaurants open. There comes a time when we need to turn things over to the younger generations and take time to spoil the youngsters in our lives!

You don’t have youngsters? I am sure there is a friend or two that would let you borrow theirs for a couple of hours if you insist…..lol But there are other things we can do to make the Holidays a bit brighter without going overboard. You can “create” new traditions. Can’t put up that 7 ft tree, get a small tree that will fit on a table. Or just decorate your computer desk. After all that is where some of us stay.

Some of us are alone on the Holidays and find that they are too sad to celebrate without the loved ones who have gone on before them. That is ok to feel sad, it is ok to grieve, just because it is a holiday doesn’t mean that changes, but! Remember the good holidays you had with them, yes that can be a sad thing but as long as you have the memory, they will always be with you.

You have had some bad Holidays in the past? You are afraid it will be another bad one? We need to learn to let go of the bad things, not to deny that they happened but that they are over and done! Stressing over the past can eliminate future joy. Also try to make this year better without setting your sights too high.

Leave “yesteryear” in the past and look toward the future. Life brings changes. Each season is different and can be enjoyed in its way. Don’t set yourself up in comparing today with the “good ol’ or “bad ol’ days.”

Try to enjoy activities that are Free, for those of you that can drive around and see all the Christmas lights, or ask someone who can drive to take you. Put on some of your favorite Christmas music and let your mind drift away.

When you do your mall walking do a little window shopping, personally I have been decorating a dream house for eons it is fun and I can spend as much as I want cause the house doesn’t exist except in my mind. PBS and other TV stations are having all the Christmas specials on now, and some of them have the original movies like Miracle on 34th Street.

Spend time with supportive and creative people, call or write a friend you haven’t heard from in ages. If you live in the right place try to make new friends, start actively e-mailing someone that you have met in the group here. Having “sick lungs” that don’t show makes for a greater need to stay in touch with people who understand.

But one of the most important things you can do during this Holiday season is to take time for you. You need to recharge your batteries often, make sure you pace yourself and if you get tired take a nap! The family will understand as long as the nap doesn’t interfere with dinner! Let some one else do all the things that stress you out now and you relax and enjoy yourself, you deserve it.

Visit the website of COPD-Support, Inc. - click here

Would you like more information about the COPD Support chatroom? click here