Happy Holidays and Merry Emotional Breakdown

Welcome to the beginning of the longest months of the year, November and December. The Holiday seasons are characterized by joyous carols and the quiet crying of stressed out mothers fretting about holiday to do’s and sugar-high children. Let’s be frank, we have a love hate relationship with the holidays.

Halloween is the beginning of the emotional downhill slide. This is why we have New Years resolutions, to pick up our shattered selves from the abuse we put them through in the name of trick or treating, Thanksgiving, and Christmas/Hanukkah.

For the past 3 years I’m ashamed to admit I have a break down Christmas Eve. It starts with Halloween Costumes in October, juggling family, field trips and a banquet in November, and that whole time sewing, planning, and wrapping Christmas presents.

I went to a ladies conference at church this weekend and they talked about depression. Jeffery R Holland reminded us “That if we do not take time to be well, we will most assuredly take time later on to be ill.” It made me think of the impending doom of the holidays, and how I was already pretty close to that edge. This year I’m going to tread carefully and I want to encourage you all to do the same.

In preventing illness whenever possible, watch for the stress indicators in yourself and others you may be able to help. As with your automobile, be alert for rising temperatures, excessive speed, or a tank low on fuel. When you face ‘depletion depression,’ make requisite adjustments. Fatigue is the common enemy of us all – so slow down, rest up, replenish, and refill. – Jeffery R Holland

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Rising Temperatures

Watch your temper! I don’t mean in the usual way. Anger is a sign of a FULL cup. Emotion and stress literally boils over. When you find you’re spending most of your day irritable and yelling at people, it’s a sign you’re nearing a crash. Take precautionary measures!

Excessive Speed

The Holidays are a whirlwind of activity, and tradition; from shopping, to parties, to concerts and recitals. Ask yourself this one questions, “Does my family need this more than they need a happy me?” Your kids might love the newest gaming system and it may buy you some time to yourself later on, but do they need the crazed mom that has just returned from 4 hours of standing in line and fighting. Sure that concert sounds great, but would a quiet evening at home reading stories and playing games really be more uplifting. Slow down! Say no! Its OK.

Running on Empty

Speed determines good gas mileage, too fast and you’ll run out faster. But so does our engine. What are you putting in your Engine? Left over Halloween candy, hot cocoa/coffee, and Christmas cookies will get you through an hour, and earn you an hour of exercise every day next year trying to burn it off. Eat Smart! A balanced healthy diet will propel you better than any caffeinated drink.

Staying up late to get ahead the next day, means you’ll continue to play catch up when you crash at 12 and waste 2 hours trying to take a nap. It’s a downward spiral, with a bump at the end. Get those ZZZ’s! If you find you’re falling behind, swap sitting with a friend not your sleep. She probably needs it to.

Get out there and EXERCISE! It baffles me how spending energy to exercise gives me more energy. It’s like 2-2=4. But it’s true. I told my husband the other day, exercise is like love, the more energy you give the more you receive. Go for a walk, run, have a dance party with the kids for a quick fill up.

Get Ready, Get Set, GO!

So as the holidays begin, enter with care! It’s not a race, it’s a scenic drive. Remember take care of yourself because you are the most important gift you can give your family. Leave the monster mom behind with the Halloween Costumes.

What are you doing this year to keep your cool, slow down, and refuel?