Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy Holiday! 

Unfortunately, the holidays are not always a joyful time for everyone. According to one survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), people may experience mixed emotions and increased stress during the holidays.

• Positive Emotions at the Holidays: Happiness, Love, Connectedness, Higher Energy
• Negative Emotions at the Holidays: Fatigue, Stress, Irritability, Sadness, Feeling Isolated

Increased Stressors at the Holidays May Include:

• Overstretched for time/money
• Pressures of gift giving and family gatherings
• Staying on a (healthy eating plan)
• Travel

56% reported they experience the most stress at work.

Social Isolation Can Add to Holiday Blues.

According to Vision Aware, “social isolation is one of the biggest predictors of depression—especially during the holidays. Holidays are also hard on those who are grieving a loss such as the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship or even the loss of one’s vision.”

For Those Who ARE ‘Merry and Joyful,’ Now is a Good Time to Reach Out to Others –

This is a reminder to check in on family, friends and neighbors who may be having a tough time this season, whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or socially. Some ways you can help –

• Donate.
• Volunteer.
• Make a phone call.
• Send a letter or card.
• Provide a meal or a cup of tea.
• Spend time, hold a hand, lend an ear, bring some cheer.
• ‘Being’ Present may be the greatest gift you can offer another.

Take Care of Yourself. Commit to Daily ‘Self-Care’ –  

• Have realistic expectations.
• Learn to say ‘no.’ Or at least, ‘not today.’
• Focus on what really matters and is important.
• Take time to relax each day and focus on yourself.
• Seek emotional support. Phone a friend.
• Exercise and take walks in nature. Watch a sunrise/sunset.
• Daily Attitude of Gratitude; Write down 3 things you are grateful for.
• Think ‘moderation – moderation – moderation’ when it comes to food and alcohol.
• Consider integrative therapies for relaxation (*see below)

Feeling Overwhelmed or Depressed? if you are feeling overwhelmed or are experiencing symptoms of depression:

• Reach out to others.
• Talk to Your Doctor.
• Seek professional counseling.
• Maintain hope.

Thank You – Thank you to all those that have taken the time to read, like and/or comment on my blog posts.

Thank you to all those that have placed your trust in Dreamtime Wellness™ over the past 17 years.

We have more offerings for relaxation and therapies to help support your mind-body-spirit needs coming in the New Year.

RELAX YOUR WAY TO A HEALTHIER YOU at Dreamtime Wellness™ – 

• *Deep Breathing or Breathing Exercises, Guided Imagery, Progressive Relaxation, Self-Hypnosis.
• Reiki for Relaxation
• Reiki, Meditation and Hypnotherapy/Self-Hypnosis private sessions and group training available
• Low-cost reiki sessions are available at various venues and sliding scale is offered to those in need.
• *FREE 15 minute phone consultations available – 978-283-4258.

Dreamtime Wellness™ will be closed for the holidays on Thursday, December 21st. Reopening on Wednesday, December 27th. 

Safe Travels. Happy Healthy Holidays. Peace, Love and Joy in the Coming Year.  ~ Karen 

Karen Pischke BSN, RN, CCRN Alumnus, Author, Speaker, Nurse Researcher, Certified Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC. Your Bridge to Health. Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit. Karen is a registered nurse with a background in critical care nursing, cardiac rehabilitation and risk factor reduction, wellness and integrative healthcare. Incorporating a collaborative, integrative approach, Karen strives to educate and provide evidence-based services and self-care tools that improve health, happiness and wellbeing. www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Instagram and Facebook

Disclaimer: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health and related sub­jects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker. Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are affiliated.

Sources and More Information:

• American Psychological Association
• Mayo Clinic
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)/Relaxation
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)/Massage and Reiki to Reduce Stress
• Psychology Today
• Visonaware