Tis the Season for Stress and Tips From Philadelphia Caregivers

Posted Dec 9, 2014 by PHC | Uncategorized

The holiday season is a very joyous and celebratory time of year, however along with all the shopping, baking, wrapping, entertaining, cleaning and decorating comes stress. And as if the stress wasn’t enough, some of us also experience another unwelcomed guest…depression. The holidays often bring on emotional extremes, from happiness to sadness. It is a busy time of year where we enjoy celebrating with friends and family, but also experience tearful moments remembering loved ones that we have lost over the years. Here are some tips to help us manage the stress and depression that the holidays may bring:

1. Acknowledge your feelings: Realize that it is OK to feel sad this time of year. Take time out to cry and experience your feelings of sadness so that you can enjoy the happier moments to come this holiday season.
2. Reach out for help: Share your feelings of stress and sadness with your friends and family, they may be experiencing the same feelings and can be a great support to you during this difficult time. Also contact your doctor if you feel like you need extra support to get through the season.
3. Be realistic: We all want to be super festive this time of year, but committing to every holiday party and setting unrealistic goals for shopping, decorating and other holiday tasks can leave you feeling overwhelmed and cause you to miss out on the true meaning of the season. Look at your schedule and make sure that you are able to divide your time appropriately, allowing much needed time for some relaxation!
4. Take a breather: Even if it is only 15 minutes, take some time each day to recharge. This may be as simple as sitting in your car for an extra few minutes listening to your favorite Christmas carol on the radio, or taking a few minutes to enjoy a cup of coffee with a friend.
5. Stick to a budget: Before you head out to the malls or grocery stores sit down and figure out how much you can afford to spend, this may mean extra trips to the stores, but staying out of debt over the holidays will greatly help to decrease your stress level this season!

If you are feeling stressed due to caring for a loved one, please reach out to Personal Health Care at 610-933-6130, and allow us to assist you with finding the appropriate level of care to put your mind at ease this holiday season!