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 Dr. Gold, Ph.D, LMHC, is a Licensed and Board Certified Clinical Mental Health counselor, with a Ph.D in psychology, clinical practice. She’s in private practice at her home office in Fort Salonga, specializing in relationships. A sub specialty is in integrating holistic methods with traditional ones. She is founding president of Happi Act for autism www.happiact.org www.happiact.org a non- profit organization. She can be reached drgold6@optimum.net |
| January is known to be the saddest month with the highest rate of depression, and February doesn’t fall far behind. Bills from holiday credit card spending are evident. Tax days loom ahead. The sparkling lights and décor of the winter holidays seem to have vanished too soon. The days here on L.I look gray; there is often the added chore of clearing snow off of our cars, driveways and walks before we can go anywhere. And slippery road commutes to work and back. Yes, winter can be tough. But my intent is not to depress you further, because there are things that we can do to compensate, to make these winter days and nights not only more tolerable, but pleasurable. This can be an excellent time to organize and to clear out no longer wanted items. Having developed the habit of donating to others through charities who conveniently pick up the items at our front door at an appointed time, makes me overcome procrastination in getting it done You can make your home more cheerful. Whether one lives in a mansion, in one room or anywhere in between, painting a room can be a budget project yet a huge mood lifter. Hanging a cheerful painting inside your entrance can lift one’s spirits as well. This is a good time to chat it up or get better acquainted with a friend or family member. Some of my happiest moments have been when sitting in a coffee house with a friend while watching a light snow fall outside. Now’s a perfect season to read that book you’ve wanted to read, and to watch that DVD. Exercise, healthy eating, and nutritional supplements can be most helpful in lifting the winter blahs and in helping to get weight back on track. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) depression can be real for many. Those who suffer from winter depression should attempt to get some sun every day, if not outside then from one of those lamps created for that purpose. Depression in teens can be seriously high these months. Some signs to watch for are: Changes in sleep patterns ~ Loss of interest~ Loss of appetite ~ Decreased participation~ Changes in mood. These signs if present should not be ignored. Regarding all those New Year resolutions sincerely intended but already fading, here’s a simple one to keep; add one thing to your life that you enjoy, and eliminate one thing from your life that you don’t. Something to remember; depending on each of our ages, we’ve each lived through this season before and we made it through every time. We will again! |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 