06 Dec The Christmas Season

Another Christmas season! From past experience I am all too aware of how, for some people, Christmas can be a most painful time. There can be many reasons for this, such as the death of a loved one, breakdown in relationships, job uncertainty, health challenges, divorce etc. The media projects that we should be merry and jolly. For those who are emotionally struggling during the season, this expectation adds to anxiety and depression.

The question becomes how do we deal with the stress and challenges over the Christmas season.
-Support may be required. For those dealing with the death of a loved one, Alberta Health Services offers an excellent program, at which I work as a volunteer co-facilitator.
-You have the right to your emotions. Find listeners who will accept your feelings without giving advice or passing judgment.
-You may decide to start a new way to celebrate Christmas.
-Coming to peace with old memories, habits, past traditions or people is healing. Forgiveness of self or others helps to set us free us in many ways.
-Self care is essential! Stress is detrimental to health.
-Spend time with people whose company you enjoy.
-Volunteering is a gift which can lift your spirit.
-Give yourself permission to cut back on holiday gift giving.
-There are times when one requires support. Alternative medicine such as Biofeedback and Psychosomatic Energetics are very effective in reducing stress, anxiety, pain and fatigue. Both modalities support both physical and emotional health, in different ways.

For me, the times which have been most trying resulted in new insights, direction and growth. Life is about transition. When encountered with life challenges we choose to either respond or react. The choice is really ours to make.

Let us keep things in perspective. Christmas is to remind us of God’s love for mankind with the birth of Jesus. This birth was not with glamor, but rather humble, in a barn surrounded by animals, away from the love and support of family. The birth and life of Christ was to bring hope and peace to mankind, even in our darkest hours.

My prayer is that you experience the peace of Christmas and blessings in the coming year.