How to not let holiday blues color your job

Many companies offer mental health services via their employee assistant programs.

Already this holiday season workers have been flocking to such programs for mental health help, says Rich Chaifetz, CEO of ComPsych, one of the largest EAP providers in the country.

“We’ve seen an increase in the use of EAP services because people are already going into the holiday feeling their pocket books are much tighter, pressured by credit cared debt and the subprime mortgage issue,” explains Chaifetz. Generally, he adds, “we’re seeing more reporting of people in sad moods, and for people who are prone to depression, it’s more severe this season.”

Employees, he points out, can get help from their EAP on a confidential basis, and should do so ASAP “before the depression gets worse.”

As for telling your boss, he advises workers not to be too candid about depression but “tell your manager you have personal things you’re dealing with and you’re talking to someone to resolve those. Your manager doesn’t want to hear it.”

To help get through the season, Bergeson offers some tips:

• Set reasonable expectations. Remember the spirit of the season. It’s not about who has the best decorated house or who can buy the most gifts. You, along with your family and friends, will have a more pleasant experience if you don’t overextend yourself.
• Don’t take on more than you can handle. If your to-do list gets too long, divide up the tasks over a week’s time. One long list suddenly looks so much better when there are only a couple of things to do each day.
• Schedule time alone. It doesn’t have to be a lot of time. Fifteen minutes of quiet time can be quite rejuvenating, particularly for parents or in households where there’s a lot of activity or out-of-town company. Make a cup of tea, go for a walk or find a quiet place to enjoy for a bit. The sounds of silence will be music to your ears.
• Be honest with family and friends about how you feel. Make sure there’s someone you can talk to over the holidays. Don’t be afraid of bringing everyone down with your mood; your family and friends may be worried about you, and you will all feel better if there’s an open line of communication. Once you vocalize your feelings to someone you trust, you’ll be better able to manage your moods.
• Stick with your wellness plan. It’s easy to let your normal routine slip during this busy time of year, but keep doing those things (exercise, volunteer activities, support groups, etc.) that you know help you stay on track.

And ask for help, advises Nora Klaver, author of "Mayday! Asking for Help in Times of Need".

If it’s at work, she says, make sure you only share your mental health issues with a trusted friend. For all other colleagues, or subordinates, she adds, you can find ways to delegate certain tasks when you’re really down with the promise you can reciprocate down the road.

“You’ll be surprised how many people are willing to help you,” she maintains. “We get caught up in the habit of doing everything ourselves and when it comes to the holidays it’s even harder. You not only have to go shopping but you have to be happy and jovial.”

To cope with the holidays, Lisa S. goes to counseling more frequently and reaches out to friends for support. She also forces herself to go to work even if she’s feeling extremely down.

“I would rather be at work,” she explains. “It helps to be around people and do something.”

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