Depressed . . . The 8th Dwarf?

Does the approach of the holidays make you feel like the 8th dwarf—Depressed? You aren’t alone. Many people find that the gala preparations bring back painful memories of guilt, regret and grief. With so much to do, how can you overcome intense emotional pain and find the energy to go once again around the holiday wheel . . . with pleasure?

Here are a few tips to make you feel like less of the 8th dwarf during this holiday season.

• Go on a Grumpy Diet. Limit the number of times you vent about a situation to three. That’s right, just three. Or get it out of your system in the first 72 hours, so it doesn’t set up permanent residence in your thoughts.
• Start a Happy Journal. To be most effective, take one thing you’re grateful for each day. Then write down five specifics about that. For instance, I am grateful for my close friends. Next the specifics: they laugh with me, they helped me move (to me, that’s above and beyond), they showed me the importance of WD 40 and Duck Tape, they helped me gain perspective after my husband’s death and they have my back. Emotional energy is the key here.
• And get over it. Often, it is easy to take things for granted. The power went off, and you can’t talk to your friends right now. Move on and make the best of it. Like a sneeze, it feels better to let it go.
• If the holidays mean MORE extra pounds, take a nap if you can instead of snacking your way awake. Often what you need is a bit of water, fresh air, and a change of scenery to keep your head out of the pumpkin pie. So get the other dwarfs away from the table and take a walk.
• Weed out the “always”, “everyone” and “all-or-none” words. Remember, your rational adult parents and siblings will revert back to the womb when the turkey comes out. Don’t “always” think that “everyone” in your family is “Dopey.” Just step out of the fray and enjoy the show. Your siblings and the family dynamics can appear a bit funny of you show up as “Bashful” at the table. Be a dopey observer . . .you’ll change the rules.

But if holiday depression is grinding you down, Unstuck Living can help you find relief as quickly as 1-3 sessions 90%of the time. Become a NO LIMIT person and call me, Joan Courtney at (928) 357-8208 or use the Contact Form. Holiday peace and happiness can be yours for the taking!

If you’re plagued by negative comments and news while you’re driving or just living your life, I have another solution. CommuterTrax will help brighten your day and shift your thoughts to the positive. Go to www.Unstuck-Living.com/Products for a sample. If you like what you hear, you can get the entire recording to get unstuck for the cost of a Starbucks cuppa.

Bringing over 30 years of experience to her practice, Joan is a highly qualified NLP Practitioner and a certified clinical hypnotherapist. In a confidential way, she uses that knowledge to help her clients become no-limit-people. Many have found her friendly ways and precise techniques to be the easiest road toward a better life.