Why You May Feel Sort of Let Down at the Holidays and Feeling Blah
Linus, I just don't understand Christmas. Instead of feeling happy, I feel sort of let down.
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" is one of my all time favorite Christmas programs. Five years ago as I watched the Charlie Brown Christmas special for the umpteenth time, I found myself suspecting that Charlie Brown's "Browniest Christmas" was really a case of the "Holiday Blues."
This lens takes a look at several of the things that might be wrong with Charlie Brown, includes some helpful suggestions for coping with the holidays as well as links to memorabilia for "A Charlie Brown Christmas."
Image Source: Video Still from "A Charlie Brown Christmas."
What's Wrong with Charlie Brown?
Holiday Blues * Stress * SAD * Grief * Depression
- Holiday Blues
- Stress
- SAD - Seasonal Affect Disorder
- Grief
- Depression
A Charlie Brown Christmas on YouTube
Holiday Blues
Fortunately, the Holiday Blues tend to be short-term lasting only a few days to weeks around the holidays, subsiding once normal routines are resumed.
Stress
The Holidays can be an extremely stressful time mentally, physically and even financially, particularly for those out of work.
SAD - Seasonal Affect Disorder
The "winter blues" or feeling sad or depressed during the fall and winter due to decreasing amounts of daylight. SAD can occur alone, or can make symptoms of depression worse.
Mild symptoms respond to spending time outdoors during the day or arranging homes and workplaces to receive more sunlight
Grief
Memories of holiday's past will likely surface, or thoughts of a season that will never be which can be very difficult for a grieving person.
Those separated from loved ones by other circumstances and distance including death can find this season to be a painful time, one that further reminds them of how much they are alone.
Depression
Depression ranges from normal feelings of the blues through dysthymia (a less severe, yet more chronic form of depression) to major depression.
Basics for Coping with the Holidays
- Take it one hour at a time, one day at a time.
- Maintain a normal routine. Keep doing your normal daily activities.
- Get enough sleep or at least enough rest.
- Regular exercise, even walking, helps relieve stress, tension and improve moods.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Limit high calorie foods and junk food.
- Avoid using alcohol, medications or other drugs to mask the pain.
- Do those activities, or be with the people that comfort, sustain, nourish and recharge you.
- Remember coping strategies used to survive past challenges. Draw on your strengths again.
More Suggestions for Coping with the Holidays
- Determine your priorities and establish realistic goals for the holidays.
- Delegate some responsibilities to others.
- Take time for yourself.
- Minimize financial stressors by setting a budget and sticking to it.
- Enjoy free holiday activities.
- Think about giving a free gift from your heart. Your time or your presence.
- Be around supportive people.
- Volunteer and help someone else.
- Create a New Holiday Tradition.
- Find a new place or a new way to celebrate.
When to Be Concerned about the Holiday Blah's
- Constantly sad, anxious, or in an empty mood
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Having insomnia middle-of-the night or early morning waking
- Experiencing a change in appetite either reduced or increased.
- Having a loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex
- More irritable or restless
- Experiencing difficulty thinking, concentrating, remembering or making decisions
- More fatigued or having a loss of energy
- Feeling inappropriate guilt, hopelessness or worthlessness
- Experiencing thoughts of death or suicide
** Anyone with suicidal thoughts or suicidal ideation needs to seek immediate care with their physician, crisis line or the nearest hospital emergency department.**
A Squidoo Lens on the Holiday Blues
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Holiday Blues - Feeling Sad, Lonely or Depressed During the Holidays?
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For many people instead of the holidays being a time when "the days are merry and bright," they are more likely to be experiencing the blues for many different reasons. For some people the holiday season can be a very difficult time time of...
Squidoo Lenses on Coping with Grief and Loss
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How to Cope with Grief
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Travel with me as you go on the journey of coping with grief. There is no guarantee here, no magical wand, just the assurance that your life will get better. It will never be the same as before your loved one died, but gradually you will feel s...
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How to Cope with Loss and Grief - Healthy Coping Strategies
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When faced with a loss, crisis or life-changing event, you are suddenly thrust into an unfamiliar world, one that can be frightening and unsettling. Knowing how to make it through the first few days or hours can help. This lens offers articles and re...
Good Grief! I'm Having a Charlie Brown Xmas
How to Deal with the Holiday Blues
- Are you having a Charlie Brown Christmas?
- Tips for coping with the holidays as a working medical professional, on-call and away from family.
- Good Grief! I'm Having a Charlie Brown Xmas
- An earlier version of this article with tips for dealing with the Holiday Blues from the Journey of Hearts site.
Charlie Brown Video and Music on Amazon
Charlie Brown Christmas Books on Amazon
A Charlie Brown Christmas (Peanuts)
Amazon Price: $6.94 (as of 07/26/2008)
A Charlie Brown Christmas Kit: Book and Tree Kit (Peanuts (Running Press))
Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 07/26/2008)
A Charlie Brown Christmas(TM)
Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 07/26/2008)
A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Making of a Tradition
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 07/26/2008)
A Charlie Brown Christmas (Running Press Miniatures)
Amazon Price: $4.95 (as of 07/26/2008)
A Charlie Brown Christmas from Wikipedia
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) is the first of many prime-time animated TV specials based upon the popular comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. It was produced and directed by former Warner Bros. and UPA animator Bill Melendez, who also supplied the voice for the character of Snoopy. Initially sponsored by Coca-Cola, the special aired on CBS from its debut in 1965 through 1999, and has aired on ABC since 2000. For many years it aired only annually, but is now telecast several times during the Christmas season. The special has been honored with both an Emmy and Peabody award.
Charlie Brown Christmas Figure and Friends on Amazon
Charlie Brown Christmas Action Figure from Peanuts
Price: $25.00
Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price:
Linus Van Pelt Action Figure Charlie Brown Christmas from Peanuts
Price: $25.00
Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price:
Peanuts: A Charlie Brown Christmas Action Figure Box Set Assortment
Price: $25.00
Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price:
Pig Pen and Snowman Action Figures Charlie Brown Christmas from Peanuts
Price: $25.00
Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price:
Sally Brown Charlie Brown Christmas Action Figure from Peanuts
Price: $29.99
Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price:
Charlie Brown Christmas Tree on YouTube
WFC Charlie Brown Christmas Skit
section of Charlie Brown Christmas to be used as live skit on Christmas Eve at Westside Family Church - Kansas.
Runtime: 4:41
6041 views
3 Comments:
Charlie Brown Christmas Tree on Amazon
A Charlie Brown Christmas Kit: Book and Tree Kit (Peanuts (Running Press))
Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 07/26/2008)
A Most Pathetic Tree by Wild Ties red silk ties
Price: $35.00
Sale: $9.95
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 07/26/2008)
The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree and Linus Blanket from Urban Outfitters
I'll be ordering one of these this year.
- This Tree Needs You
- Good Grief. Learn the true meaning of Christmas with Charlie Brown's classic pathetic Christmas tree. The tree is made of bendable wire branches and plastic needles with a criss-cross wooden base.
- Linus Blanket
- A cozy Linus blanket for you to love! Super-soft and trimmed in satin complete with a little Linus patch at one corner.
The Linus Blanket benefits Project Linus--an organization devoted to providing kids in need with some security when they need it most in the form of handmade blankets and afghans lovingly created by volunteers.
Other Squidoo Lenses on Charlie Brown and Christmas
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Charlie Brown
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Charlie Brown is the main character in the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz
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A Charlie Brown Christmas
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That loveable "blockhead" Charlie Brown sees throught the commercialism of Christmas in this Charles Shulz classic.
Charlie Brown Tree Available on eBay
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Have you ever had a Charlie Brown Christmas?
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rms
Thank you for another wonderful contribution to the Best Christmas Ever group. Not everyone will be having their best Christmas ever. Posted December 03, 2007 |
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