Author of New Book Offers Strategy for Defeating Post-Holiday Blues

November 15, 2005 (PRLEAP.COM) Lifestyle News
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS - Research indicates that post-Holiday Depression is a major issue for many people in the U.S.

Dr. Jeff Standridge, Co-Author of The Abundance Principle: Five Keys to Extraordinary Living (www.TheAbundancePrinciple.com) recommends the following five keys to reducing Holiday depression:

Get your mind right –Think about what the Holidays mean to you and get a clear firm picture of the feelings you want to experience throughout Holidays and even into the New Year.

Plan your Holiday experience – Once you know what you want to experience or leave the Holidays feeling, then plan your activities so as to create those experiences and/or feelings. For instance, if you wish to enter the New Year with feelings of gratitude, contentment & love, then plan to volunteer at a local homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or youth home.

Grow your relationships – The Holidays are a time for being together. Set a goal of nurturing one or more relationships during this period. Pick out one or two “acquaintances” or friends, and make it a point to have a stronger relationship after the New Year than you have today. Do what it takes to get there.

Plan your spending – Don’t overspend for the Holidays. Many times the worst part about the Holidays is the dread of receiving the credit card bills in January. Remember, the Holidays are more about relationships than about commercialism. Resist the illusion of buying your way into the hearts of your loved ones.

Serve someone else – Nothing makes for a great Holiday experience like doing something nice for someone else. Instead of feeling pressured to buy something for every friend, co-worker, or employee, send each of them a card with a note saying “I served soup at the local soup kitchen in your honor,” or any manner of other service-oriented activities.

Dr. Jeff Standridge is co-Author of The Abundance Principle: Five Keys to Extraordinary Living (www.TheAbundancePrinciple.com). He can be reached at www.AbundantLifeProject.com, or by emailing Jeff@AbundantLifeProject.com.