Okay so we all know the popular Christmas Carol, the 12 days of Christmas with the hens and the rings and the partridge in a pear tree. But what if we tweaked those lyrics a little bit to sing about the thing we really want—good mental health. The thing is… this is a gift you have to give yourself. Nobody can give it to you. Come and join me with a new rendition of a familiar song.
On the first day of Christmas I gave a gift to me: A stress free holidayeee! (A poet I am not so forgive my attempt to rhyme). How you ask? Let us help with a couple of articles on how to take the stress and anxiety out of your holiday plans.
• Coping with Social Anxiety and Depression During the Holidays
• 10 Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress
On the second day of Christmas I gave a gift to me: Two (potentially) Mood Enhancing Supplements
(Please note that you should always ask your doctor about any supplements or herbal remedies you wish to take to avoid adverse interactions with your other medications)
• Vitamin D: You have probably been hearing a lot about this vitamin in the media lately. This is because researchers are finding an association between a lack of Vitamin D and a myriad of medical and mental problems. In some studies a lack of vitamin D is thought to be a contributor to both depression and anxiety. When you get your physical from you primary physician make sure to get your Vitamin D levels checked.
• Deplin: Our Dr. Chris Ballas wrote several years ago about the potential for Deplin to enhance the effectiveness of your antidepressant. Deplin is prescribed by your doctor and is considered an amped up version of folate.
On the third day of Christmas I gave a gift to me: Three “No” Declarations
During the holiday season you are undoubtedly going to be asked to do activities or extra things that you really don’t want to do or have no time to do. My friend was just telling me the other day how she was invited to some holiday “party” where a friend is selling jewelry and she didn’t want to go. I reminded her that the magic word is “No.” Come on and practice it with me. “No, no, no.” You can do it. I know you can!
On the fourth day of Christmas I gave a gift to me: Four fun -for-me activities
I know that the holidays are all about giving to others. But this is your holiday too. What activities do you enjoy doing? They don’t have to be huge time consuming activities but it is imperative that you take some time for yourself to do something special for you. Watch a Lifetime movie, read some of those old magazines you have lying around the house, or dance to disco. Whatever floats your boat. Fun is one of the anecdotes to depression. Have some. It is free.
On the fifth day of Christmas I gave a gift to me: Five Reasons to be Grateful
It is true that people who feel gratitude feel less depressed. In a previous post I talked about the results of a study called the George Bailey effect. I am sure you all remember the Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, with the character of George Bailey who contemplates whether his life has any meaning. When he sees what life would be like without his existence he feels gratitude for the life he has despite all the heartaches. The researchers found that: "...if you imagine the absence of those good things you normally take for granted, your brain will be surprised, and you may come to realize how good things really are.”
