photo credit: giuliaSphotography
Along with the perfectly executed holiday meal, the laughter of family and friends around the table, the warm memories of another year gone by, and the traditions in your home that make the holidays unique to you, some of us receive unwelcomed guests as well.
With the often unrealistic expectations put on ourselves during this time of year, stress and depression are two of the most common by-products of the circus we call the holidays. According to The Mayo Clinic, there are several ways we can cope with feelings of stress and depression. Here are just 10, and you can read in further detail here.
1. Acknowledge your feelings.
2. Reach out.
3. Be realistic.
4. Set aside differences.
5. Stick to a budget.
6. Plan ahead.
7. Learn to say no.
8. Don’t abandon healthy habits.
9. Take a breather.
10. Seek professional help if you need it.
Almost all of these 10 remedies for stress and depression during the holiday season could be accomplished with the help of United Way 2-1-1. Just pick up the phone and dial 2-1-1 (100% free and anonymous call). A trained, real-live person on the other end of the phone can listen to your problem, and refer you to one or several of thousands of agencies, non-profits, and programs throughout North Carolina. By calling 2-1-1 you can tap into the wealth of information in the 2-1-1 database, and find the help you need.
United Way 2-1-1 is a single source for information about community services and for referrals to health and human service programs. Call 2-1-1 throughout most of the counties in North Carolina, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to get connected. Bilingual caseworkers are available during regular business hours.
For more information about 2-1-1, visit the 2-1-1 section of our website.