POST-CHRISTMAS DEPRESSION?

"Remembrance of things past is not necessarily the remembrance of things as they were."
 - Samuel McCord


"We don't receive wisdom.  We must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us but ourselves."
- Oscar Wilde

Many Americans are experiencing Post-Christmas Depression.


They feel like a dead Christmas Tree tossed on the side of the road.


Often we have a loopy, taffy-twisted vision of what Christmas should be like.


It doesn't mean everyone has to pretend to be happy when they're not.


Geez, that can be depressing all by itself.




Sometimes we remember the Christmases of our childhood through time-fogged glasses. 


As older adults, we see more clearly the social dynamics going on all around us.


Take heart if you are currently suffering from it. 


Post-holiday depression generally only lasts for a short period of time.

STEPS TO TAKE TO TACKLE THOSE BLUES

1.) CREATE SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO


That movie you've been wanting to see.  Make time to see it -- hopefully it will be a comedy.


Start counting down the days to when you can do that special something.  It will help.

2.) THE FUNNY BONE IS REALLY A MUSCLE


Remember what I said about that movie comedy?  Rent that DVD all your friends are talking about like CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE with the Rock and Kevin Hart.


Exercise that funny bone of yours and you will feel better.

3.) DON'T PAY TO BE DEPRESSED!


There are books, TV shows, and movies that leave you feeling depressed even if you weren't before the experience of viewing them!


Viv of ZEN & THE ART OF TIGHTROPE WALKING:
https://zenandtheartoftightropewalking.wordpress.com/2016/12/28/comfort-literature-the-new-trend-for-2017/


writes that she


"would like to see trending in the new year a literature that comforts.


Not schmaltzy, saccharine candy-fluff books that pretend everything is nice and rosy


but books that have a strong core of something special, something strong and real and comforting."


Me, too.


COMFORT LITERATURE she calls it.

4.) GET A MOVE AND YOUR GROOVE ON


A buildup of carbon dioxide in your blood (from shallow breathing) is a natural depressant --


as is alcohol (so drinking to feel better is an emotional oxymoron.)


So although feeling glum is unlikely to put you in the mood to exercise,


getting up and active is actually one of the best things you can do.


Jog, walk, or dance (by yourself if need be) each day. 


You will find yourself in a far better mood at the end of those steps!

5.) YOU FEEL WHAT YOU EAT


While it may be tempting to bury your sorrows under piles of junk food,


a healthy diet is actually much more effective at helping you feel good.


Some mood-boosting foods to stock up on are those containing B vitamins


(which help the brain produce serotonin)


such as wholegrains, nuts and marmite, and those containing Omega-3 fatty acids


(which can help lift depression), such as oily fish or flaxseeds.

6.) LOOK OUTSIDE YOURSELF


In our world are those who could do with just an unexpected small kindness. 


Be a distributor of random acts of kindness.


A cat or dog rescued from the pound could be the very thing to turn your mood completely around.

Just research the personality types of the different breeds, trying to match them to your own.

HAPPIEST OF NEW YEARS,

MY FRIENDS!!