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Today we consider how we can be a little more intentional about making progress in our life by clarifying our purpose and priorities.
Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. There are lots of moving parts to the journey but our foundation is built on the solid Rock. Keep your eyes on the prize and keep making steps forward on your spiritual journey.
December is here! And along with thoughts of Christmas, family gatherings, Christmas programs, brief thoughts about the real meaning behind all of this and daily life that keeps intruding; there is a glimmer in the back of your ind that says another year is almost gone, another one is about to start.
Any traditions for us?
What comes to mind when you think about holidays, Christmas, ending one year and going into the next, Susan?
Did you know that many people are depressed during this time?
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Resources
https://www.bridgestorecovery.com/blog/new-years-depression-yes-its-real-heres-what-you-can-do/
It’s a well-known and researched fact that the holiday season worsens or triggers mental health symptoms in many people. If you already have depression, this time of year can make it worse.
The entire season, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, causes stress, anxiety, and depression for many reasons:
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Stress is a major component of holiday blues. The stress associated with buying gifts, making big dinners, and attending parties can become overwhelming.
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High expectations also trigger bad feelings, especially if you can’t meet them.
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Finances cause a great deal of anxiety this time of year, particularly when coupled with the expectations of gift buying.
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Some people end up isolated during the holidays, which can trigger depression.
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Grief is often amplified at the holidays, especially if you have lost a close loved one.
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The colder weather and shorter days may trigger seasonal depression.
All of these issues, and more, apply to New Year’s depression as well, but there’s more to this phenomenon. Loneliness and isolation are major factors.
Another issue that differs from the rest of the holiday season is the focus on reflection. Many people look over the past year and see a lot of disappointments. This is especially a problem if you tend to compare your own achievements with those of others.
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The holidays can be a real struggle for many, but they are also an opportunity.
We will take a quick break and be back with some thoughts about how to avoid the holiday blues and maybe help someone else along the way.
*** PART 2 ***
We are talking about the very real issue of holiday depression. Particularly I want to focus on the isolation and loneliness issue but first we can touch on the stress caused by expectations and the feeling of being overwhelmed that so many face. How do you handle it, Susan?
The more people who are involved the lower you need to put your personal expectations of meeting your dreams for any activity. Be flexible.
Be realistic. Lots of people mean lots of opinions.
Ask for help if you are in charge of being dinners or events! Don’t be stubborn! There is no reward for working yourself to death during the holidays.
What about the deeper issues? Loneliness and isolation are real issues for a lot of people.
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Resources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/friendships/art-20044860
What are the benefits of friendships?
Good friends are good for your health. Friends can help you celebrate good times and provide support during bad times. Friends prevent isolation and loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too. Friends can also:
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Increase your sense of belonging and purpose
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Boost your happiness and reduce your stress
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Improve your self-confidence and self-worth
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Help you cope with traumas, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or the death of a loved one
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Encourage you to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive drinking or lack of exercise
Friends also play a significant role in promoting your overall health. Adults with strong social connections have a reduced risk of many significant health problems, including depression, high blood pressure and an unhealthy body mass index (BMI). In fact, studies have found that older adults who have meaningful relationships and social support are likely to live longer than their peers with fewer connections
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Accept invitations! Go to dinner with people you don’t know well, that changes over time. Invite people into your life. Coffee, lunch, dinner, or a walk in the park!
Look for community events and take part.
Be available. Be Kind. Be a good listener.
Romans 12: 9-13 – 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
1Peter 4:8-11 – 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
People are always busy. Maybe even more so during the holiday season. If you can slow down and be available for people around you, you may be just the spark of light that someone else needs to keep going. Join me this year and let’s try to show radical love to those around us! Who knows what conversations and friendships, might result from our efforts.
Thanks for Joining me today! What are you doing to reach out during the holiday season? Let me know! And If you have questions or comment about today’s show, email me at norman@runwithhorses.net or look up the Run With Horses podcast facebook page.
Until next time, keep running!