Beat the holiday blues

  • Published
  • By Diane Mayer
  • TriWest Healthcare Alliance
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The holiday season can bring with it many feelings, ranging from excitement and wonder to sadness and disappointment. Anxiety about separations or losses can be intensified during the holidays. Uncertainty about the length of deployments and mission dangers can add to the stress of separation. 

Here are some suggestions to help reduce holiday stress: 

1. Set realistic expectations. It is easy to focus on how things used to be. Sit down with family members and discuss what is important to each of you right now. Look for new activities that could become new family traditions. 

2. Make a calendar with specific holiday goals. Once a holiday goal, like buying all the gifts or baking all the cookies, is reached, reward yourself. 

3. Establish a realistic budget. Overspending can result in year-round stress and the material aspects of the holidays can be overwhelming. Many times a homemade gift can be more meaningful. Coupons for services throughout the year can provide friends and family with happiness that outlasts the holiday season. 

4. Buy gifts from catalogues or online. This can be an amazing time saver. Many companies offer gift wrapping and delivery directly to the recipient. It is a great way to avoid crowded stores and long lines at the post office. Use the time you saved to spend time doing things you enjoy. 

5. Take care of yourself. In order to take care of others, you must first take care of yourself. Eat healthy meals at regular times. Get plenty of sleep and exercise. Even on your busiest days, schedule time for yourself. Think about activities in which you can participate and choose only those that will be enjoyable. 

6. Emphasize family ties. Spend extra time with your children to make them feel safe and secure. Maintain established routines, including family dinners and bedtimes. Create an online photo scrapbook for a deployed loved one to share holiday images during or after their deployment. 

7. Reach out to others. Share activities and help others in your community. Participate in community activities that bring you in contact with others. 

Life is full of changes - some good, some bad - and it can be difficult to adjust. Identify what is important and good in your life right now and focus on the future. TriWest is here to help. Visit www.triwest.com>Beneficiary>Behaviorial Health for tips and resources. 

You can also save time during the busy holiday season by registering on www.triwest.com to manage your health care online, anytime from anywhere with an Internet connection.