By DAWN KULESA and TIM NURGE

The holiday season is a time full of celebrations, joy, gift giving and gatherings with friends and families.  As a kid it was easy to love the holidays.  Who doesn’t like presents, candy, and seeing cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents?  Times have changed a lot.  Things are more expensive, a lot of relatives have passed away, and now we are in charge of planning this whole Christmas shindig.  It can also be a time of significant stress and cause increased anxiety and depression. 

     For those who find themselves overly stressed by the holiday season, the National Mental Health Association has a few suggestions to make this holiday more enjoyable.  Try to keep holiday expectations manageable by setting realistic goals.  Pace is important as is spreading out activities over time, rather than trying to focus on just one day.  Do not try to do everything on your list.

     Leave ‘yesteryear’ in the past and look to the future.  Each season can bring something new to be enjoyed in its own way.  Try to enjoy activities that are free.  Try something new for this holiday season, which may bring you joy — such as doing something kind for someone else.  Spend time with supportive and caring family and friends and ask others for help with activities if feeling the need for it.  Remember to save personal time for reenergizing.

     Keep physically active and focus on moderation with holiday treats and beverages.  Remember, excessive alcohol can increase feelings of depression.  Invite friends on a short walk.  Allow yourself the gift of sleep! Rest is so important during stressful times.  Also, try to avoid overeating and focus on keeping gift spending within a certain budget — that will help start the new year fresh and not burdened by going over budget.

     Understand that the holidays may bring about a lot of mixed emotions.  For anyone feeling overwhelmed by sadness, feelings of emptiness or worthlessness, ask for help from someone who knows how to be supportive.  If there are no friends or family members to talk with, there are mental health resources available to throughout San Luis Obispo County as noted below.  Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

–Dawn Kulesa, Master of Social Work is a Cambria Community Healthcare District Board Member

–Tim Nurge is the CCHD Operations Manager and a Paramedic

Source: Nation Mental Health Association, www.nmha.org

Mental Health Resources:

Central Coast Hotline — text or call: (800) 783-0607

Central Coast Hotline is a confidential mental health guidance, crisis and suicide prevention Hotline which also provides mental health resource information. 24/7, 365 days a year, free of charge. Crisis Line Specialists are compassionate and highly trained paraprofessionals based in San Luis Obispo, California and are available around the clock to answer your calls and texts. Calls and texts are confidential. Staff and volunteers primary goal is to listen and to offer support and referrals to mental health resources in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. In addition, they also assist family members or friends who reach out on another’s behalf.  Available in English and Spanish.

988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — text or call: 988 or e-mail, www.988hotline.org

(Hotline is free and available 24/7)

Whether you’re facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, this lifeline provides caring counselors that are there for you. You are not alone. Available in English and Spanish.