Firdaus Dhabhar, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. For information on mental health treatment and services offered click here or visit the UHealth Collective.
BEATING THE HOLIDAY BLUES:
āTis the season for food, fun, and festivities! But for some, this time of year can bring on feelings of stress and anxiety, says Firdaus Dhabhar, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
āWe all experience some kind of stress and maybe a little bit of social anxiety depending on what youāre called upon to do during the holidays. And the stress can come from financial pressures, trying to keep many, many commitments in terms of time, social engagements and so on,ā Dr. Dhabhar said.
Dr. Dhabhar, who studies how stress affects our immune response, says there are things we can do to feel better. It can be as simple as calling a friend on the phone or doing something kind for someone else to help alleviate the holiday blues.
āTry not to isolate yourself too much, although itās OK if you need time for yourself. Get as much sleep as you reasonably can. Avoid alcohol or go easy on it if youāre experiencing negative emotions and try to stay active,ā Dr. Dhabhar said.
He reminds us that the holiday blues are only temporary, but if feelings of sadness or despair donāt go away, there is help.
āGoing on for weeks at a time, sometimes continuously, would all be signs that youāre maybe leaning towards depression or at least should get it checked out,ā Dr. Dhabhar said.
Sometimes, just focusing on whatās good in our lives can change our perspective.
āMost of us are fortunate enough that we have much more to be grateful for than worried or stressed about,ā Dr. Dhabhar said.
FOCUSING ON YOU
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