Holiday Blues?
Do you feel like you are walking around with a dark rain cloud over you like Eyore? Have you wished day in and out that you do not wake up tomorrow. You’re not suicidal. You don’t have a plan or a method, but you have been wishing for the 2nd Coming and feel seriously blue. Here are some suggestions for your much-needed relief. Do some self-care. Take your mental, biological, social and spiritual health seriously.
Warning: I am not one to take medication for any and all ailments . . . BUT, 6 months of antidepressants, completely removed the dark, deep cloud penetrating me when I was in my early 30’s, going through a divorce. During that time I took my car into the body shop 9 times. At least twice, my car was just standing parked on the street; twice someone else was to blame. So divorce from a 14 year relationship, return to finish my BA that fall and multiple car accidents on my plate that first year. Praise God no one was hurt. Crazy times!
With that disclaimer, I would highly recommend seeing your doctor for a complete physical, even if it is a community clinic. Multiple losses and traumas can send your body out of sync with it’s normal chemistry. See your general practitioner if you have one.
If you don’t have a physician, may I make a suggestion? There is a relatively new type of MD that is all about holistic healing practice called Functional Medicine. They are concerned about your diet and lifestyle as much as approaching the source of the problem from many angles, i.e. healthy lifestyle. D.O’s may be another avenue instead of M.D.’s. I knew one who graduated from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. They are a bit more focused on listening to you than a typical MD (DO vs MD - https://www.google.com/search?q=d.o.+vs+m.d&oq=D.O.+&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0l7.3676j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8)
Start eating well.
Exercise - you know you’ve heard this one before for endorphins . . .
See a therapist if you feel like your mind is tied up in knots trying to think this out.
Pray, pray, pray . . . prayer changes the most impossible of situations.
In Al-Anon I have re-learned a wonderful way to remove all the head trash about what I need to pray for myself as well as the challenging relationships in my life. Have a seat, it’s very simple. Pray for the knowledge of God’s will and the strength to do it.
Have a blessed Advent my friends!
