Dear Members,
IUPAT DC 46 would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year! Hope the holiday season will come with peace and joy for you and your family that will last throughout the year. May the holiday season bring you prosperity, health and a lot of love!
While the holiday season may be a time of joy for many, for others it can actually make depression and anxiety worse. In fact, 52% of Canadians report feelings of anxiety, depression and isolation during the holiday season. With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s important to find ways to cope with the added stress that can come with this time of year.
If your feelings of sadness during the holidays are accompanied by suicidal thoughts, do one of the following immediately:
- Call 911 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000
- Go to the nearest hospital
- Contact Canada Suicide Prevention service +1-833-456-4566
If you’re dealing with feelings of stress or depression, know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There are ways to manage your symptoms and get the help you need. Also, don’t hesitate to call a Representative.
Take control of the holidays
Don’t let the holidays become something you dread. Instead, take steps to prevent the stress and depression that can descend during the holidays. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands, so you can combat them before they lead to a meltdown. With a little planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays.
1. Try these suggestions:
- Have a healthy snack before holiday meals so that you don’t go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks.
- Eat healthy meals.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Include regular physical activity in your daily routine.
- Try deep-breathing exercises, meditation or yoga.
- Avoid excessive tobacco, alcohol and drug use.
- Be aware of how the information culture can produce undue stress, and adjust the time you spend reading news and social media as you see fit.
2. Take a breather.
- Make some time for yourself.
- Find an activity you enjoy.
- Take a break by yourself.
- Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do.
- Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm. Some options may include:
- Taking a walk at night and stargazing.
- Listening to soothing music.
- Reading a book.
3. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.
