Defeating the Christmas Blues! Part 2

DEALING WITH THE CHRISTMAS BLUES?
 
Yesterday I shared an article with you that I felt might help if you were dealing with the Christmas blues. You can find it here, if you missed it. This second part will give some tips for coping with the blue feelings that some people experience at this time of the year. I appreciate what my fellow Christian coach shares in this blog. Practice some of the suggestions given here—and have a more joy filled Christmas!

Poppy

1. Be willing to say “no” to less important events and be willing to say “no” to trying to do everything for the really important events that are necessary.  This may require delegating some things to others or doing without certain things
2. Try to spread your activities out instead of squeezing them all into one week.  Again, this may require saying “no” to a few things.
3. Go visit a nursing home or a shut in.
4. Help serve dinner at a homeless shelter or donate food to a food bank.  You can do this IN PLACE OF going to an elegant open house or buying too much food for your own meal. Matthew 25: 35-40 (ESV) says, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ ”
5. Christmas is not going to bring back that loved one who died or went away, and Christmas is not going to bring you a spouse or automatically supply that baby you have been longing for.  Know that you will experience all the emotions that you experienced before Christmas and the emotions that go along with the desire for things to be different.
6. If you have a friend who experienced some of these painful things mentioned in #5 be a little more patient and offer sympathy – even if you think he/she should be “over it by now”. 
7. If your childhood Christmas was really bad or if your childhood Christmas was really good, remember that the past is behind us and don’t expect things to be the same – bad or good.
8. At this time of year there are lots of free concerts and tree lightings – so do something that doesn’t cost money. 
9. Talk with a trusted friend.
10. Spend time in solitude – meditate, pray, read your Bible.  The Christmas story can be found in Luke 2 (and I especially like The Message paraphrase of this passage).
11. If you drink alcohol, don’t overdo it!
12. Do something good for yourself. It might be a bubble bath, a long walk, reading a good book, or listening to music.  This looks different for each person.  While you are spending this time, think of your relationship with God, your Father.  He loves you so much that He sent His son, Jesus to be born in a stable and to suffer and die for your sins.  No one else loves you that much.  What an amazing gift He gave us.

Won’t you take the time to reflect on this incredible gift? May it bring a smile to your face and a heart of gratitude as you celebrate the coming of Jesus—God with us. 
Poppy