Ideas for dealing with Depression during the Holidays

The Holidays are usually the most stressful time of year for me. If I am not careful and sometimes even if I am very careful I get really depressed during the holidays and it's a hole I can spend months after it's over trying to dig my way back up from. It starts about Veterans Day every year and continues until the New Year has fully rolled in.

Anyway, I had an idea for dealing with it slightly different this year. In part, that's because I have decided pretending it isn't going to happen is pointless. In part, that's because isolating through it has never benefited me either. Still, when the whole world turns into a mad house of people running around extra frustrated while trying to get the last of their holiday shopping done... I had to think of something to reduce how THAT adds to MY STRESS still knowing that I cannot change anyone but myself.

So this is what I've been doing and it's working better than expected because November 30th I was in a three car accident that total my car and reinjured my brain. Obviously not as bad as the original one but man oh man did all of it pile up a bit worse with that extra unexpected event and HEY! Let's say "Woo Hoo" because I managing. Brain Injury and PTSD combine to create a perfect storm for depression to fester for me. So my idea was to watch a silly happy movie every day until January 2nd.

I know I know it doesn't sound like much. And that's why I decided it was a good idea. See, usually my attempts at coping are too big and I fail and then I have more bad anxiety and depression about one more thing I screwed up. And THAT is a downward spiral.... we do not want to head down the stairs. We want to head UP the stairs to a safe level of calm. LOL

So I have watched some really silly crap. Tonight was Christmas with the Cranks. Last night was While you were sleeping... which might have been slightly poor form due to the coma part I had forgotten but it was okay because the sappy christmas lovie dovie crap made up for the coma guy. Before that, it was Finding Nemo... yes children's shows are on the list because they are FUNNY and SILLY. I've seen Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Practical Magic, 50 First Dates, and many more. And I don't know if I actually remember back further because my memory isn't too great, but... the point is... spend two hours a day destressing with big laughs. I watch stuff I wouldn't ordinarily pick because I'm considering it therapy so like medicine I gotta take my 2 hour dose of happy movie and shockingly it's not as terrible as I expected it would be.

This may actually be why I am not currently in the Psych Ward. LOL And I have to admit... I'm laughing more even when the movie isn't on. In spite of extra panic attacks between films.

What are you guys doing to deal with your PTSD during the holidays? I think we should all contribute an idea to build like a data base of ideas for others to use. What works for me one time, may not work the next time so one of the best coping skills I have learned is if it's not working now, try something else until you find what does... and don't be afraid to recycle the duds back through the list of things to try because you just never know if it MIGHT work the next time when an old stand by suddenly decides not to work. I don't ever want to run out of stuff to try because that's when it gets the best of me. Happy Holidays! CurlyMint