Another year is drawing rapidly to a close, and many of us find ourselves panting as we move from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas or Hanukkah in rapid succession. The demands, real or perceived, that we feel pulling at us from all directions can leave us feeling anxious, irritable, and downright depressed.
The pressures of the holidays are only one reason, however, that many of you may notice your mood descending. The days are shorter, leaving those with tendencies toward seasonal mood changes vulnerable to feeling blue. And old, unresolved family conflicts tend to rise to the edges of our consciousness as we anticipate family get-togethers. Throw in the shame that those with ADHD often experience when they find themselves overwhelmed, and, lo and behold, the holiday gremlins put in an appearance.
Here are a few suggestions for taming the gremlins:
- Seek Natural Light. Find as many ways as you can to be in natural light – short walks outside; working near a window; etc. If you have Seasonal Affect Disorder, purchase a bank of lights.
- Exercise. I know you get nagged about this regularly, but embrace my motto: Any is better than none! You don’t have to train for a marathon to get the mood-lifting benefits of moving. A few ways to squeeze in some exercise:
- Take the stairs or walk up the escalator.
- Park at the far end of the parking lot. You get your exercise and it is less stressful than cruising for a parking space.
- Take your kids and walk the neighborhood to enjoy the holiday lights.
- Simplify! Simplify! Simplify! I cannot over-emphasize the importance of learning to simplify your life. This applies for all of your life, but especially at this time of year. What truly matters to you? Keep your mind’s eye on that and everything else will begin sorting itself out.
- Breathe! Take deep, slow breaths for a few seconds to minutes several times throughout your day. Combining this with focusing on a calming word or image will bring interludes of peace to otherwise hectic days.
- Disregard the Guilt Gremlins. When self-critical, negative thoughts intrude on your peace, recognize these gremlins as the exaggerating, lying critters they are and then simply dismiss them. If you allow them to setup camp in your head, they will quickly take over and multiply.
- Avoid excess alcohol. This central nervous system depressant can give you a momentary lift, but excessive amounts actually fuel depression.
If the holiday gremlins stay around too long, you may need professional help. But these tips are well-established means of bringing a sense of calm to your holiday season. Peace!
