The Hope & Resiliency Coalition is a group of committed community members who gather regularly out of concern for those struggling with hopelessness, mental health challenges and suicide loss.  We sponsor this series of articles to invite others to take advantage of the services and supports available to our community.  Since forming in the summer of 2016 the Coalition has hosted multiple community and professional events in collaboration with others:

Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club, Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, Boothbay Harbor Police Department, The Community Center,  Boothbay Region Community Resource Council, New Hope for Women, Coulombe Center for Health Improvement, St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, as well as  National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Maine) and Maine Center for Disease Control.

This is a first of a series of articles intended to share resources which are available to our neighbors.

The Community Center

Coping with your own or your loved ones’ mental health challenges?

Many people can experience feelings of anxiety or depression during the holiday season.

People who already live with the mental health condition should take extra care to attend to their overall health and wellness during this time.

Extra stress, unrealistic expectations, or even sentimental memories that accompany this season can prompt the holiday blues. Some can be at risk for feeling of loneliness, sadness, fatigue, tension, and a sense of loss.

The “Holiday Blues” can be triggered by seasonal factors such as less sunlight, changes in your diet or routine, alcohol at parties, over commercialization, or the inability to be with friends or family.

These factors can seriously affect your mood. Make sure that the holiday blues haven’t become the scapegoat. You could be experiencing recurrent depression for seasonal affective disorder.

Tips for avoiding the holiday blues.

1. Stick to your normal routine as much as possible
2. Get plenty of sleep
3. Take time for yourself but don’t isolate yourself. Spend time with supportive caring people.
4. Eat and drink in moderation. Don’t drink alcohol if you were feeling down.
5. Get exercise, fresh air, even if it’s just a short walk.
6. Make a to-do list and keep it simple.
7. Set reasonable expectations and goals for holiday activities such as attending parties, entertaining, or sending holiday cards.
8. Do not overextend yourself financially on gifts.
9. Find ways to relax
10. Do an act of kindness; this will give you a good feeling in your heart.
11. Be gentle with yourself. This is not an easy time of year for a lot of people.

The Boothbay Region has its very own NAMI Combined Support Group. Please join us. We can help. Every third Wednesday of the month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Held at the community center Meadow Mall, 185 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor. Call Jane, 633-2563, after 5 p.m. or Debbie, 380-3550.