Tips to beat holiday stress and depression

The feelings are to the surface in this Christmas than usual. At Christmas the number of consultations for emotional changes, different feelings emerge holiday blues.

Holiday stress

Buying gifts is the leading cause of stress at Christmas, because often left to the last moment. Finding the perfect gift for matching expectations, economic hardship, or a busy work schedule stressors are factors typical Christmas. People feel as if the world ended after the holidays and had to leave everything done before passing these dates.

Send a postcard or a detail handmade can be a great antidote to the malaise. It is not the price of the gift if not the detail and feeling dedicated.

Depression syndrome or phenomenon Grinch

Grinch syndrome which owes its name to the green elf who tries to destroy Christmas in a movie, is a common seasonal affective disorder caused by frustration or dissatisfaction of no achievement, goals or desires. More evident at this time it is time to review. Likewise, the joy of spending time with people who want us to see, with the discomfort to reconnect with others that do not mix.

The empty chair at Christmas

Christmas is the time of year where we enjoyed the company of our loved ones. At this reunion happiness it joins the sadness of "empty chair". A contradiction to be suffering a grieving process that is characterized by miss someone who has died or even to separations or breakups.

Tips for overcoming the discomfort:

• Expressing emotions
• Keep the habits during the holidays to avoid a blow to the back to reality
• Avoid negative people
• Perform some symbolic act in memory of the deceased
• Find new traditions that go and rest during the celebrations
• Conduct an altruistic action (to help an NGO, hospital, etc.)
• Ask for help from family or a professional if necessary.

The aim is to avoid remembering the past and loved ones with nostalgia and focus on the present, we never forget them and share feelings with loved ones.

The duel, the "anniversary effect" or "first Christmas without" is added. At these times it is important to remember through a ceremony or ritual speech to the lost person to encourage the development of such loss.

In the grieving process it is essential to respect the time and process of each person and understand that at some point we've all had or will have an empty chair and that we must mourn if necessary, or express anger, whatever it takes to continue enjoying of occupied chairs.

Therefore, whenever possible we should not forget to reach out and accompany him to clarify what, with respect, allowing express and share their pain with us.

Often deliver a small detail, send a traditional "simple postcard" Christmas, send a message, a call or a gift made by ourselves can be a great antidote to loneliness ... Since anything done or delivered with much courage and heart will do much good.

We must dare to live the Christmas spirit and enjoy the small moments of happiness!