Christmas Blues

 

 

 

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs! And abeautiful video by the church and the Piano Guys! It talks of how we mourn in this life, sometimes feel that we are in the depths of hell, and amidst the gloomy clouds. And how we yearn for our Saviors deliverence and of the hope that in fact we truly can rejoice becuase he will come and set us free. What beauty!

With the Christmas holidays arriving tomorrow it is not always easy to feel that peace and rejoicing amidst all the hustle and bustle of the season. This seasons evokes a miriad of feelings -some good and some bad. When you are suffering emotionally --it may even be amplified during the Christmas season. I found this link with some ideas to help you get through this season. What are some things that have helped you feel the peace of this Season. What does not help --what can you avoid?

What causes Christmas blues?

Balancing the demands of shopping, parties, family obligations, and house guests may contribute to feelings of being overwhelmed and increased tension. Typical sources of sadness over Christmas include:
 •Stress
 • Fatigue
 •Unrealistic expectations
 •Over-commercialisation
 •Financial stress
 •The inability to be with one's family and friends
 •Reminders of loss and bereavement

Tips for coping with Christmas stress and depression

Just like an advent calendar, here are 25 tips for coping with Christmas stress and depression:

1. Keep your expectations modest
Don’t get hung up on what the Christmas holidays are supposed to be like and how you’re supposed to feel. If you’re comparing your festivities to some abstract greeting card ideal, they’ll always come up short. So don’t worry about festive spirit and take it as it comes.

2. Do something different
This year, does the prospect of the usual routine fill you with Christmas dread rather than joy? If so, don’t surrender to it. Try something different. Have Christmas dinner at a restaurant. Spend Boxing Day at the cinema, or get your family to agree to donate the money to a charity instead of exchanging presents.

3. Lean on your support system
If you’ve been depressed, you need a network of close friends and family to turn to when things get tough. During Christmas, take time to get together with your support network regularly -- or at least keep in touch by phone to keep yourself centred.

4. Don’t assume the worst
Don’t start the Christmas season anticipating disaster. If you try to take the festivities as they come and limit your expectations -- both good and bad -- you may enjoy them more.

5. Forget the unimportant stuff
Don’t run yourself ragged just to live up to Christmas tradition. So what if you don’t get the lights on the roof this year? So what if you don’t get the special Christmas mugs down from the loft? Give yourself a break. Worrying about such trivial stuff will not add to your festive spirit.

6. Volunteer
You may feel stressed and booked up already, but consider taking time to help people who have less than you. Try volunteering at a soup kitchen or helping someone to do their shopping.

7. Avoid problems
Think about what people or situations trigger your stress and figure out ways to avoid them. If seeing your uncle stresses you out, skip his New Year’s party and just stop by for a quick hello on New Year’s Day. Instead of staying in your bleak, childhood bedroom at your stepfather’s house, book into a nearby hotel. You really have more control than you think.

8. Ask for help -- but be specific
See if your spouse will dig out the decorations. Ask your sister to help you cook -- or host the Christmas dinner itself. Invite a friend along on shopping trips. People may be more willing to help out than you expect; they just need some guidance from you on what to do.

9. Don’t worry about things beyond your control
So your uncle and your dad get into an argument at every Christmas dinner and it makes you miserable. Remember your limits: you can’t control them, but you can control your own reaction to the situation.

10. Make new family traditions
People often feel compelled to keep family Christmas traditions alive long past the point that anyone’s actually enjoying them. Don’t keep them going for their own sake. Start a new tradition instead. Create one that’s more meaningful to you personally.

11. Find positive ways to remember loved ones
Christmas may remind you of the loved ones who aren’t around anymore. Instead of just feeling glum, do something active to celebrate their memory. For instance, go out with your sisters to your mum’s favourite restaurant and make a toast.

12. Don’t overbook
The festive season can last for weeks and weeks. People really need to pace themselves or they’ll get overwhelmed. Don’t say yes to every invitation. Think about which parties you can fit in -- and which ones you really want to attend.

13. Don’t stay longer than you want
Going to a party doesn’t mean you are obliged to stay until the bitter end. Instead, just drop by for a few minutes, say hello, and explain you have other engagements. The hosts will understand that it’s a busy time of year and appreciate your effort. Knowing you have a plan to leave can really ease your anxiety.

14. Take a friend to the party
If the prospect of the office Christmas party is causing stress, talk to a friend and arrange to arrive -- and leave -- together. You may feel much better knowing you have an ally and a plan of escape.

15. Forget about the perfect gift
If you’re already feeling overwhelmed, now is not the time to fret about finding the absolute best present ever for your great aunt or your postman. Remember: everybody likes a gift voucher.

16. Shop online
Save yourself the inconvenience, the crowds, and the horrors of Christmas traffic and parking, by doing the bulk of your shopping online.

17. Stick to a budget
The cost of Christmas shopping mounts up quickly and can make people feel out of control and anxious. Draw up a budget long before you actually start your shopping and stick to it.

18. Stay on schedule
As much as you possibly can, try to stick with your normal routine during the Christmas season. Don’t stay too late at parties. Don’t stay up all night wrapping presents. Disrupting your schedule and losing out on sleep can make your mood deteriorate.

19. Exercise
While you may not feel like you have the time to exercise during the festive season, the benefits are worth it. There's evidence exercise can help prevent anxiety and depression. You can work physical activity into your busy days. When you’re shopping, take a few extra laps around the shopping centre. Walk your Christmas cards to the post office instead of driving.

20. Eat sensibly
When you’re facing a dozen festive parties and family gatherings between now and New Year, it’s hard to stay committed to a sensible diet. But try. Eating healthy may keep you feeling better -- physically and emotionally. On the other hand, don’t beat yourself up if you go overboard on the cookies at work. It’s not a big deal. Just get back on track the next day.

21. Don’t rely on Christmas spirits (or other substances)
The festive season is often a time of heavy drinking. Remember that alcohol is itself a depressant and abusing it will leave you feeling worse. It also may not be safe for people taking antidepressant medication.

22. Try a light
As the daylight grows shorter, lots of people find their mood gets gloomier. While some have diagnosed seasonal affective disorder (SAD), even people who don’t may still have a seasonal aspect to their depression. Talk to your GP about trying light therapy. It could improve your mood.

23. If you take medication, don’t miss doses
In the hustle of the festivities, it’s easy to forget and miss medication. Don’t let that happen. Make sure that you’re up-to-date on your repeat prescriptions, too.

24. If you see a therapist, consider having extra sessions
To stay grounded, plan ahead and consider booking some extra sessions during this season. Or you could ask about the possibility of doing quick phone check-ins.

25. Give yourself a break
Christmas and the New Year period can be a time to dwell on imperfections, mistakes and things you’re not proud of. Be gentle with yourself.
http://www.webmd.boots.com/depression/guide/christmas-depression-stress