Everyone has “The Blues”

Oh my goodness, is it me or does everyone seem to be stressed out these days?! I was humbled last week when I realized that nearly everyone I talked to was stressed to the hilt about the upcoming Holiday. When it hit me, I got really sad. The Holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, togetherness and merriment. And while I know for some it can be a triggering time of year, it should not be that way for everyone. We get so stressed about finding the perfect gift or making sure the ham is done at the exact same time as the potatoes that we forget to just BE IN THE MOMENT. We forget to enjoy each others company. We forget to take some time to rest. And when we forget all those things, our bodies respond poorly. It does not have to be this way!


So what do we do about it? Each year we vow to do it differently and then when ultimately the season sneaks up on us, our old patterns emerge and it's the same thing over and over again.


Like with any other stressful time, prioritizing the things that make us feel well is the best way to combat the Holiday Blues. While nothing I can do or say will take away all your stress, taking care of yourself will allow your body to handle the pressure better. Adequate rest, hydration, exercise and diet will always be the first line of defense for keeping your immune system primed and your emotions even. If you utilize mental health tools, this is a great time of year to check in with your therapist/health team.


Some other tips I can offer are: budget and start shopping early. Delegate things out that can be done by someone else or (if you can afford to) pay someone to take some of the burden off you. If you do not already have a mindfulness practice in place, I urge you to start one. And obviously, I support adding or keeping your acupuncture appointments as a way to ensure you have at lease one quiet hour to yourself that can help with your overall wellbeing.