How to Break Free From Post Holiday Blues

The holidays are over, and New Year's celebrations have become last week's event. Parents and relatives have gone back home, and the greenery and ornaments have been put away until next year. For many of us, its time to go back to work after an extended week of holiday vacation. But is everyone ready to resume their normal routine?

After all the holiday parties and exchanging of gifts, it can be a little hard to find something to look forward to in the beginning of the year. This type of gloom is actually normal, but if you find that your mood is affecting your quality of work or your relationship with coworkers, family, and friends, it may be time to reach out and talk to someone.

The reason why post-holiday depression is typical is because of something called "seasonal affective disorder", or SAD. SAD is a type of depression that occurs in the winter season, when the days grow short and a lack of sunlight deprives people of their usual amount of Vitamin D. For those of us spending long days in the office, without any sun, depression can run rampant. Be sure to take time out of your work day to soak in some sun! If possible, have lunch outside, take a walk around the building or down the street. Just being outside for 30 minutes can do wonders for your mood.

If you find yourself struggling to meet deadlines or keep up with your job's demands after the holidays, you may be stuck in a post-holiday funk. Here at Gateway Counseling Center, our counselors are always here to help you.

Happy January,

Gateway Counseling
www.gatewaycounseling.com
561-797-0631

Tips To Prevent Stress and Depression During the Holidays

The holiday season tends to bring on feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety. The National Center for Health Statistics indicates a 15% increase in the number of individuals who actively seek help for emotional disorders during the month of December. Experts attribute this sudden spike in stress to heightened seasonal demands including shopping for gifts, hosting parties, and reuniting with family. Instead of letting the holidays bring you down, follow a few simple steps to battle your stress triggers before they have a chance to snowball out of control.

• Accept Your Feelings
• Clear Your Mind and Just Breathe
• Take Some Time For Yourself
• If You Feel Lonely, Seek Out Support In The Community
• Create a Plan For Activities and Shopping Lists
• Stick To a Budget; Money Can't Buy Happiness.
• Accept Family and Friends As They Are
• Be Understanding If Others Get Upset or Distressed
• It's OK to Say No If You're Feeling Overwhelmed
• Hold On To Healthy Habits; Get Plenty of Sleep and Exercise
• Find New Ways To Celebrate Old Traditions
• Take Off The Pressure: The Holidays Don't Have To Be Perfect
• Seek Professional Help

Remember, here at Gateway Counseling Center, we're here to help you year-round. If you live in the Palm Beach area and are experiencing holiday blues, feel free to give us a call at 561-797-0631.

Grief and Loss; What To Expect When A Loved One Dies

In the event of a death in the family or even the disappearance of a parent in a child's daily life, in divorce, grief begins to set in. Other events that can trigger the highly personalized process (just to name a few) include the loss of a job, beloved pet, lifelong dream, the end of a relationship, and onset of a major illness in a loved one. It is vital not to fight the process, but to allow it to run its course and unfold in its own time.

You may recognize the "Stages of Grief" model from psychology class. The stages occur in no specific order, varying with each unique individual.

1. Denial

You struggle to believe what has just happened, and it doesn't yet seem real. If someone you love has died, you may expect them to walk through the door as though nothing has changed, even though you know they cannot.

2. Bargaining or Guilt

"If only I had..." "I wish I told them..." Common statements expressing regret about things left unsaid, undone, or that could have been done differently arise at this stage in the process, even if nothing could have been helped. You may feel guilty about feelings of relief after a long and difficult illness.

3. Acceptance & Sadness

Often the longest stage in the grief process, deep sadness is also the most universally experienced symptom of grief. During this time you may experience crying and emotional instability.

4. Anger

The loss doesn't seem fair, and someone has to be blamed for it. You may be angry with yourself, God, the doctors, or even the person who died for leaving you. Blaming someone or something for a heavy loss is the redirection sadness into anger.

5. Fear

Losing a loved one can incite a host of fears concerning your own mortality, facing life without that person, or new responsibilities you now face alone.

The most important factor in healing from loss is having the support of others. If your level of grief is more than your support system can assist with, get in touch with us to speak with one of our therapists.

Gateway Counseling Saved Our Marriage

When my husband and I started growing apart, we could feel the distance between us. After several years of marriage, we knew we needed to rekindle what we had lost. Gradually, we had begun arguing about non-issues. It felt as if there was trouble in paradise. It was his suggestion that we tried counseling. I was apprehensive at first, but soon realized that this was the best decision we had ever made.

The friendly staff at Gateway Counseling gave us an initial evaluation and saw that we were clearly fighting to save our marriage. They were very supportive of our love for each other, and they helped us confront some of the issues that were facing us. Sometimes, it’s good to have a third person to explain things when it becomes difficult to talk to each other.

We felt very comfortable at Gateway Counseling, and we would recommend it to anyone! You will know when the time comes for counseling. It could be what saves your marriage. If you’re ready, contact Gateway at 561-797-0631 for a consultation. You might thank yourself for the rest of your life!

Gateway Can Help

At Gateway Counseling Center, we look forward to helping you during your time of need. Sometimes, life can be quite overwhelming, and it’s good to speak with an experienced counselor. Here at Gateway, our primary goal is to make a positive impact on your life.

Many people choose counseling as a healthy way to cope with marriage and family issues, depression or anxiety, grief and loss, or to simply achieve overall brain wellness. Counseling can be helpful for adults and children alike, and our experienced staff will help you identify your disorder, and treat you accordingly.

Come to Gateway Counseling Center for a free consultation where we assess your presenting issue, inform you of how we would begin the process of assisting you, and determine your preliminary comfort level with your therapist. We are here to help, and your emotional wellness is our top priority.