Search Weight Loss Topics:




Dec 6

Avoiding the holiday blues | Afro – Afro American

Exercise Programs Comments Off on Avoiding the holiday blues | Afro – Afro American

Alphonso Gibbs, Jr. (Courtesy Photo)

Alphonso Gibbs, Jr., LCSW-C, LICSW, Advisory Board MemberMens Health Networkwww.MensHealthNetwork.org

The six weeks encompassing Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Yearscollectively called the holidaysare for most, a magically unique time of year, filled with holiday carols, reunions, displays of colorful lights, love, and affection, often expressed through gift giving.

For the better part of 2020, we have all been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the stresses brought on by racial tensions, and the political dramas of the 2020 election. Now, we have to make hard decisions on whether to gather with our loved ones for the holidays, or continue to socially distance from them until we get the all clear.

For some, the holidays bring hurt. Caused by factors such as those already mentioned, along with the weather (seasonal depression); extended separation, death, financial stress, unemployment, unrealistic expectations, hyper-sentimentality, guilt, or overspending. Holiday depressionalso called the holiday bluescan zap the merriment out of even the most wonderful time of the year. Now, one must make hard decisions on whether to visit, whom to visit, and how to prepare for the visitsuchas getting a COVID-19 screen prior to the visit.

The holiday blues only seem to get worse as we near the end of the year.

Holiday depression affects one million people every year. Men and women, young and old, all fall victim to feelings of sadness, loneliness, anxiety, guilt, and fatigue during this emotionally charged time.

Mens Health Network offers the following 10 suggestions to help you identify and ward offor at least better cope withpotential sources of holiday depression.

Resources and Helplines

SAMHSA Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

800-662-HELP (4357)

http://www.samhsa.gov

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

800-273-TALK (8255)

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Your Head: An Owners Manual

http://www.YourHead.org

ULifeline.org Online resources for students

http://www.ulifeline.org

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)

https://www.pcori.org/topics/mental-and-behavioral-health

Mens Health Network

Mens Health Network (MHN) is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health awareness messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation. Men can learn more about their health through MHNs online resource center, http://www.MensHealthResourceCenter.com

Learn more about MHN at http://www.MensHealthNetwork.org .Follow us on Twitter @MensHlthNetwork and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/menshealthnetwork

The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO. Send letters to The Afro-American 1531 S. Edgewood St. Baltimore, MD 21227 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to editor@afro.com

Visit link:
Avoiding the holiday blues | Afro - Afro American

Related Posts

    Your Full Name

    Your Email

    Your Phone Number

    Select your age (30+ only)

    Select Your US State

    Program Choice

    Confirm over 30 years old

    Yes

    Confirm that you resident in USA

    Yes

    This is a Serious Inquiry

    Yes

    Message:



    matomo tracker