Counselor David Lee Urges Americans Facing "Holiday Blues" to Take Steps to Avoid or Minimize Effect

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Nov. 25, 2014 - PRLog -- LOS ANGELES, CA – November 25, – Beneath the surface of the joy, merriment, warmth and festive atmosphere normally associated with the holidays, many Americans are unhappy and often suffer despair, desolation or depression for a variety of reasons including loneliness, loss or separation from loved ones, grieving over the deceased, broken relationships or stress from financial problems.  As a result, these “Holiday Blues” have reportedly led to increased rates in suicides and divorces.

    According to David Lee, a veteran Marriage and Family Therapist and Hypnotherapist who has an extensive experience in counseling people while in private practice in Beverly Hills, CA, the key for people threatened with this situation is to take preventive measures to avoid or minimize stress, depression and other negative conditions.  First, he emphasized, they must recognize the “holiday triggers” that can lead to depression and address them.  Some suggestions he offers include:

  Acknowledge your feelings. If you have had a recent loss or you can't be with people you love, then it's normal to feel sadness.  Take time out to cry and express your feelings.  Don’t try to force yourself to be happy.  It won’t work.

  Find outside resources.   Go to community, religious or other social events. You will find support and companionship.  Volunteer your time to help others as this will give you pleasure and will help you develop new friendships.

  Accept change.  Holidays change with time. Traditions and rituals evolve.  If your adult children can't come to your house then celebrate together in other ways, like sharing pictures, emails or videos.

  Accept family members and friends as they are. They will never live up to all of your expectations. Forget all the grievances for a while, maybe permanently.   Be understanding when other people get upset when things go wrong. They may also have holiday stress and depression.

  Set a budget. Decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts.

  Set a schedule. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Write down your schedule and stick with it as best you can.

  Protect yourself. Don’t over commit.  Say no to requests when you are uncomfortable or unwilling.

  Stay with healthy habits. Don't eat or drink too much or abandon your exercise. Overindulgence only makes you feel worse.  Snack a little before holiday parties so that you overindulge on sweets, cheese or drinks.  Get a lot of sleep.  Get exercise each day.

  Take time out.  Just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, could refresh you enough to handle everything. Clear your mind, slow your breathing and restore inner calm.  You could take a walk at night, listen to soothing music. get a massage or read a book.

 Get professional help if things get out of hand. If you feel persistently sad or anxious, have serious physical complaints, unable to sleep, feel irritable and hopeless or  find yourself unable to face routine chores for a period of time, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

    Most importantly,  Lee stressed:  “Those who are experiencing this situation must realize that they are not alone and there is hope.  If they follow these suggestions that are applicable to them, they too can have the opportunity to find peace and joy during the holidays.”

    Lee noted that he has recently launched a new enterprise, True Fortune Cookies, to try and bring a smile to people’s faces on a day-to-day basis to help relieve their stress, anxiety or depression.  Through a website, www.truefortunes.com, individuals can sign up to receive free messages each day which are humorous, whimsical or thought-provoking in a positive way.  “If we can lighten up people’s lives on a daily basis, the cumulative effect will make them happier and at peace,” he added.