Smile Grinch!
Smile and the world smiles with you. Louis Armstrong
I started a tradition some years back, during our mini holiday bootcamp I would dress from head to toe with holiday festive wear every day! At first, I did it because “I” loved it. Now I do it because I see how much it’s needed and how a friend, a client or a stranger’s mood changes almost instantly when they see me. I love to see people reactions because even if they are a Grinch or in a Grinch kind of mood, when they see a happy person, all lit up and smiling they can’t help but smile a little even if it’s only on the inside.
For those living under a rock, the Grinch is an iconic American Christmas character, created by the children’s book author Dr. Seuss in the 1950s. You may already know who the Grinch is, but if you don’t, you should! The Grinch is known for being mean, greedy, rude, bad-mannered, foul, and a sinister guy. He is the main character of the children’s book How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which is a favorite Christmas story of many young children (and adults). Even though the Grinch is an awful Christmas-hating character, that steals Christmas from the Whos of Whoville, he is still quite popular. This is due to the fact that after much deliberation, the Grinch comes to realize that Christmas "means a little bit more" than just presents and feasting, causing his shrunken heart to grow three sizes larger.
As I’ve reached 50 years old, I’ve started to see a lot of my peers become Grinches, with their moods changing during the holidays. Because holidays for many of us are not what they used to be. We’ve lost close family members or matriarchs of the family and the holidays now bring about sadness, grief and even anger. It seems like we’ve become surrounded by a bunch of Grinches.
In order, to bring joy back into the Holidays and put happiness back in our hearts and smiles back on our faces, start by making new traditions. Just as the Grinch in the end celebrated with the Whos of Whoville instead of spending another Christmas alone. If Christmas was always at Granny’s house and Granny is no longer with us, make your house the new Christmas house. Invite all the family members to your house and ask each to bring something to help with the celebration, food, decorations, and gifts. Also, throw on some festive gear and your guaranteed to get smiles out of everyone (an ugly sweater party will do the trick). No, Christmas will not be like it was, however, it doesn’t have to be sad.
For some people it’s not just the Holiday Season that brings sadness. As a registered nurse I witnessed early on in my career that the highest suicide rates are during the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, and oftentimes its associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons. SAD begins and ends at about the same time every year. If you're like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. These symptoms often resolve during the spring and summer months.
Fall and winter SAD
Symptoms specific to winter-onset SAD, sometimes called winter depression, may include:
- Oversleeping
- Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
- Weight gain
- Tiredness or low energy
Classic SAD (winter-based) can be managed through light therapy (phototherapy), using a lamp which emits more lumens than a customary incandescent lamp. If you are experiencing more severe symptoms or have suicidal ideations, seek a therapist and possibly medication. Movement is one of the best remedies. Keep active. That’s why this mini holiday Bootcamp is so important. Get a vitamin B12 injection and vitamin D3 injections in our wellness center.
No one likes to be around a grinch and personally when I feel like I’m in a funk I don’t like me either, so Smile Grinch! Put on some holiday cheer and spread it. No Mess
