Local Psychologist Offers Tips to Avoid and Cope with Holiday, New Year Stress

12/22/2016

Knox, Ind. – The holiday season should be a time to celebrate with family and friends. However, for many people, holidays can also increase stress and depression. Dr. Julia Kocal, Psy.D, HSPP, a clinical psychologist with La Porte Physician Network Primary Care in Knox, said the holidays can increase demands on our time and wellbeing. “Parties, cooking, cleaning, shopping and entertaining – these and many other factors including unrealistic expectations, financial burden and making too many commitments can add to your stress level and depression, and decrease your happiness and joy during the holiday season.”

But it is possible to minimize stress and increase holiday enjoyment with these few tips, offered by Dr. Kocal:

1. Be realistic. Holidays don’t have to be perfect to be enjoyed. In fact if you do not set yourself up to expect everything, everyone and every moment to be perfect, you may actual enjoy the holidays.
2. Set limits, plan ahead and learn to say no. Setting limits for yourself and others helps you feel in control. You will feel less resentful and overwhelmed. It is impossible to be everything for everyone.
3. Healthy holidays are happy holidays. Maintain a healthy lifestyle including healthy eating, getting a good night sleep and regular exercise. Walking is an excellent stress reducer. Walking is also helpful in managing your weight and overall health. If you are afraid you will overindulge then have a healthy snack before you go to holiday parties.
4. Acknowledge your feelings. If loved ones can’t be with you, understand that sadness and grief are normal feelings. It is OK to feel your feelings and express your sadness or loneliness to others.
5. Stay connected. Reach out to friends and family as well as to church and community groups. Volunteering is a wonderful way to increase your own happiness. Don’t be afraid to seek professional help if necessary.
6. Take a breath and take care of yourself. Taking a walk, listening to music, reading a book, meditating and prayer can all increase you happiness and decrease your stress.
7. Stay in the moment. Learning to forget the past, stop worrying about the future and paying close attention to what is happening right now can increase you sense of happiness as well as decrease you stress and depression. Think about what you are grateful for today and cherish those experiences.
8. Focus on experiences and activities instead of expensive gifts. Your level of happiness increases by the experiences you have with others.

“I wish all of you a healthy holiday season, and I invite each of you to take a moment and reflect on a person or experience that brings you joy,” Dr. Kocal said.

For more information about booking an appointment at La Porte Physician Network Primary Care in Knox, call (574) 772-7918. The office is located at 104 E. Culver Road, Suite 102, Knox.

The mission of Starke Hospital is to improve the health of our patients and communities.

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