The Whole World: Holiday Let-Down
January and February often come with a feeling of let-down for people. The holidays are over, the new year has begun and turns into a "drudge" instead of a celebration, the flu hits, and it's cold. It is from this perspective that Albert Camus speaks of hope and growth: "From the depths of winter I found an invincible summer". The experience of winter, however, must be lived. Whether it is simply holiday let-down, the ghosts of the past rearing their heads and pushing into your life, or a chemical case of depression, January and February can be difficult. Here are some ideas to ponder.
First, perhaps this is a good time to write into your calendar a day to experience the "invincible summer". Perhaps a summer bar-b-que party to be experienced now. After all it is Arizona - so turn the heat up a bit in the spa or the house, invite friends for a bar-b-que, and decorate with beach balls and pool towels. It may help to have a celebration to plan as well as reminding you summer is on it's way. And it's fun!
Or, it may be the time to go after that ghost that has been bugging you for years. Perhaps time to pursue therapy more aggressively and delve into that issue you've been avoiding, the feelings you've been pushing away, or the monkey on your back that just won't go away. Working with your therapist to change the tempo of therapy, setting new goals, considering an intensive if you've been "stuck" are just the beginning of ways in which you may pursue therapy during this winter time.
Perhaps you have suffered or suffer from not just holiday let-down but depression. Depression is that feeling of life just never feeling good, being tired often, not being able to sleep or sleeping too much, bingeing or not being able to eat, avoiding people and isolating, feeling sick but there is never a physical reason for it, believing life just never gets beyond "gray". There is help for depression. And while medication or herbal treatment can be helpful, therapy is recommended and found to provide the assistance that makes the difference in really changing depression on a long-term basis. In fact, there are many studies showing that your physical health is largely affected by emotions and depression and that when insurance companies limit mental health benefits people actually get physically ill more frequently.
The good news is depression can be helped. And almost everyone, at one time in their life needs some help with either depression or a life situation that is difficult. So, this year, gather your courage and ask for help with the issue that is holding you back or the depression that is keeping your world gray. There really are other colors in the world - let this year be the year you learn to enjoy the oranges, blues, pinks, and yellows - not just the gray.
First, perhaps this is a good time to write into your calendar a day to experience the "invincible summer". Perhaps a summer bar-b-que party to be experienced now. After all it is Arizona - so turn the heat up a bit in the spa or the house, invite friends for a bar-b-que, and decorate with beach balls and pool towels. It may help to have a celebration to plan as well as reminding you summer is on it's way. And it's fun!
Or, it may be the time to go after that ghost that has been bugging you for years. Perhaps time to pursue therapy more aggressively and delve into that issue you've been avoiding, the feelings you've been pushing away, or the monkey on your back that just won't go away. Working with your therapist to change the tempo of therapy, setting new goals, considering an intensive if you've been "stuck" are just the beginning of ways in which you may pursue therapy during this winter time.
Perhaps you have suffered or suffer from not just holiday let-down but depression. Depression is that feeling of life just never feeling good, being tired often, not being able to sleep or sleeping too much, bingeing or not being able to eat, avoiding people and isolating, feeling sick but there is never a physical reason for it, believing life just never gets beyond "gray". There is help for depression. And while medication or herbal treatment can be helpful, therapy is recommended and found to provide the assistance that makes the difference in really changing depression on a long-term basis. In fact, there are many studies showing that your physical health is largely affected by emotions and depression and that when insurance companies limit mental health benefits people actually get physically ill more frequently.
The good news is depression can be helped. And almost everyone, at one time in their life needs some help with either depression or a life situation that is difficult. So, this year, gather your courage and ask for help with the issue that is holding you back or the depression that is keeping your world gray. There really are other colors in the world - let this year be the year you learn to enjoy the oranges, blues, pinks, and yellows - not just the gray.