Chasing the Christmas blues away

Some eight years ago, six months before Christmas and after a marital separation, I had apprehensions about the fast approaching Christmas season. 

I even had thoughts that I would become founding head of the “I hate Christmas Women’s Club QC Chapter.”  I did panic about facing people about my failed marriage, about finances, about finding a new home and about how to celebrate this joyful Dec. 25 event with my children.   But when the feared day came, guess what, I survived!  How?  Basically, I came to the realization that I had been blessed with two priceless jewels, my children, Bernard and Bernadette.  I was overwhelmed with my tremendous emotional support system consisting of my mom, Remedios Warren-Halili and my true friends.  Luck was indeed with me because my friends were mostly shrinks, too, psychologists and lawyers  (professionals that one would need for the filing of one’s annulment of a marriage).  Thanks to them, I was able to pick up the shattered pieces of my self-esteem, to move on, to reorganize and to continue a life minus a spouse.

Despite the absence of any psychosocial stressor, there are still a lot people who perceive Christmas as a very stressful time.   In case you belong to this group, here are some tips on how to chase the Christmas blues away:

1.   Plan ahead.  List the names of people you need to give gifts to and make a mailing list of people you want to send greeting cards by mail or via Internet.

2. Shop early.  This will give you ample time to scout around for the gift items that will fit your budget.  You may overspend if you always use your credit card.  Receiving a jacked up credit card billing statement might trigger the Christmas blues.

3. Make early arrangements for out of town vacations.  Don’t forget to look for foster homes for your pets.

4. Avoid excessive eating and drinking.  Increase in your body weight can be depressing.

5. Physical exercise will guarantee your interactive participation in the holiday festivities.

6. Communicate properly in order to prevent arguments and stress.

* * *

A very happy Christmas to everyone!

Special thanks to special friends, psychiatrists: Doctors Bess de Guia- Godino, Dulce Sahagun, Tofi Sison, Jon Jurilla, Rommel Papa; psychologists Milen Ramos, Ph.D. and Natividad Dayan, Ph. D. and lawyer Irene D. Jurado and Fiscal Alessandro Jurado.

(Email me at nina.halili-jao@gmail.com)