Our Ask An Angel correspondent is Arlene Petersen, Certified Senior Advisor and Life Care Navigation Specialist in the area of senior home care.
Q: The holidays are right around the corner, and Iām already feeling a little blue. Do you have any tips for getting through the holidays?
A: Itās true that the holidays are an exciting time, but they can also be filled with some down moments that we sometimes donāt fully understand. Those feelings can be confusing, especially when the holidays are āsupposedā to be happy and festive. Different things can bring on sad or even depressed feelings. It might be a good idea to take an inventory of what could be bringing on the blues. Some causes could be:
— Friends may have passed away recently
— Family lives too far away and might have to forego the long trip “home”
— Certain financial limitations
— Personal loss of being able to travel freely
— Personal health conditions
The good news is that there are ways to fight off the blues. The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging recommends these tips:
Get out and about: Ask family and friends for help traveling to parties and events. Invite family and friends over.
Volunteer: Helping others is a great mood lifter. To volunteer, contact your local church or non-profit organization.
Limit the eggnog: Too much alcohol can lower your spirits.
Accept your feelings: If there is a reasonable cause for feeling blue, then give yourself permission to feel the way you feel.
Confide in someone: Talk about your feelings; it can help you understand why you feel the way you do.
On a personal level, I have found that creating a thankfulness journal is a great way to keep my focus on the positives in my life, rather than the negatives. Each day, I write down ten things I am thankful for in my journal. You can use a spiral notebook or a special journal book that is just for those thankful entries.
I also know there are caregiving agencies that can make arrangements for companionship assignments. Having a cheerful caregiver visit you, especially if you feel isolated, can lift your spirits with a short visit in your home. Caregivers can play cards, read books, or help with home projects. And this time of year, caregivers can help with holiday decorating, baking, card writing, and shopping!
If your melancholy feelings persist, it might be a good idea to speak with your doctor. There may be other factors. There is no shame in talking to your primary care physician to explore the reasons behind your emotions. In some situations, a prescription, such as an anti-depressant, might be appropriate.
Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to apetersen@visitingangels.com or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL 60177.
