Seasonal Stress Syndrome

Dear Readers:

The holidays are upon us again. I have written many columns on “holiday stress” and wanted to pass on one that I think captures some of the essential elements of the trials and tribulations that can occur during this season. I hope you find it helpful.

For many people, this is the season for allergies, colds, the flu, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression thought to be caused by shortened days and less exposure to sun light. This topic can be located on my Web site, www.haplecrone.com.

Another problem affecting many people at this time of the year is holiday season stress syndrome, a constellation of psychological difficulties occurring between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Let's examine some of the symptoms of holiday season stress syndrome:

• Feeling sad, lonely, or listless.

• Feelings of emptiness, constant fatigue, numerous aches and pains, and dread.

• Withdrawal and self-absorption.

• Perceived expectation and striving for a perfect holiday season, with subsequent frustration, disappointment and anger.

• Excessive eating and/or consumption of alcohol.

• Tension between gathered family members with long-standing differences or divorced parents struggling with each other over their children's holiday schedules.

• Renewed or magnified grieving over the loss of loved ones triggered by holiday nostalgia and music.

Make plans to meet the challenges of holiday stress by dealing with basic problem areas.

Prepare to deal with feelings of grief and loss by recognizing that these important feelings and memories have their place and may be expected to emerge during holidays. Don’t try to deny or repress the need to let grief have a place in your life, but try not to let these feelings dominate your thoughts.

Set up a budget for gifts and don't let the debt pile up by overspending.

Strive for balance with food, drink, sleep, and exercise.

Don't let family gatherings become a forum for discussing old wounds, grievances or unhappy memories.

Don't attempt to produce a "storybook Christmas." Remember, you can't possibly please everyone or have everything go smoothly, nor can you avoid some occasional friction, frustration, and disappointment.
Seek the spirit of the season rather than the things of the season. Frequently remind yourself what it is that you want to remember and celebrate rather than what the media hype, Madison Avenue, and sound bytes promote and encourage.