CHRISTMAS 2018/NEW YEARS Chillout Lounge

[kanga_brumby]

Hey Everybody! Christmas is the time of year to enjoy & share with family & friends. Some people will spend this time alone & isolated too!
This is a safe place where people can post and say hello, chat or send wishes to others and have a 'Virtual Christmas/New Years'!
Whether you have plans for Christmas/New Years or having a quiet one you can kick back and just enjoy company of others. Its been a long year. Even if you have never posted on Beyond Blue before you are very welcome to come in and sit around our 'Virtual Christmas Tree' and chat 🙂
You asked for this Paul here it is for all.
Santa (AKA Kanga Peter) Ho Ho! 🙂

[Doolhof]

Hey Paul,

Thank you so very much for your very kind words.

The last couple of years have been a real struggle one way or another. Guess I have been fortunate enough to learn ways to make my life more acceptable.

It can be a real revelation to realise there are things that I can do myself, for myself to make my life better. I can find that strength with in to make the changes.

I also realise some days are really horrid, like a ship being tossed by a storm, sometimes all we can do is hang on so we don't go under.

Words can be healing. Words we say to ourselves and to each other.

Thanks again Paul, cheers from Mrs. D.

[blondguy]

Hi MrsDools and everybody!....New posters/readers are more than welcome to post 🙂

You are more than welcome and thankyou Dools! My doc told me to slow down my posting mid year and so I did as my brain has been tired...

My Best always

Paul

[Doolhof]

Hi Paul and All,

I get that. Sometimes we do need to slow down, to allow our minds a chance to rest and recover, wether that be slowing down posting here of in general life.

One time when I was reading, my husband asked what I was doing as there was housework to be done. I told him that I was looking after myself. If I didn't read for a while I might explode! Taking that time out helped me to have the "energy" to continue on. ( plus there was no reason he couldn't have done the housework only he wanted to watch the cricket!)

Either way Paul, we all need to be aware of our limits. Hope you are doing a lot better now.

Cheers to you from Mrs. D.

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

Today I am catching up with a girlfriend for lunch. We meet at a shopping centre. If it is too hot or raining, we walk around the centre, if it is nice outside we walk in the park across the road.

Today I am going to say that I would like to look at all the Christmas decorations in the shops! I do like to see what is available each year and how the stores set up their displays.

In a way this is sort of therapy for me, a kind of acceptance therapy, mindfulness, acknowledgement of my thoughts, beliefs and emotions. All that is tied up in my mind regarding Christmas.

I want to walk around today embracing what I see, and while doing so realising that I can create a sense of happiness in my mind, knowing I can make plans around Christmas that will bring me joy!

I would love to be able to fill my car up with Christmas decorations and gifts for everyone! Oh to have a none limited credit card that someone else paid off for me! Ha. Ha. For now I will look, appreciate, enjoy and allow happiness to enter my heart.

Cheers to you all, from Dools

[blondguy]

Hi MrsDools

Thankyou for your understanding and grace

Mrs Dools mentioned re/Christmas......"I want to walk around today embracing what I see, and while doing so
realising that I can create a sense of happiness in my mind, knowing I can make plans around Christmas that will bring me joy!"

What a wonderful outlook MrsDools and thankyou again for your heartfelt post 🙂

Even with depression its important that Christmas is celebrated......and especially for the children...

My Kindest as always

Paul

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone!...Readers and Newbies and Members

Since this thread is a place to chill can you let us know if you are....

• Spending Christmas alone?
• Spending Time with Family/Loved One?
• Dont know?

Just putting it 'out there' and asking if anyone wishes to say what they are doing!

The forums are a non judgemental & safe place to be.....Any comments are appreciated and respected too!

My Kindest

Paul

[Just Sara]

I dread Xmas this yr. First time ever...

Can't get my head around it or my mothers nazi regime of power and influence. Not even the kids make me look forward to it. It may change, tonight's a bit of a downer I'm afraid.

[geoff]

hi Just Sarah, I have to pretend, but fake that I love Xmas, I dislike this time of the year. Geoff.

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

I've asked my husband if he can let me know what he wants to do around his family this year for Christmas. Some of my family would like to come to our place Christmas Eve so that will be nice.

Christmas Day I will attend Church and then hope to help out with the Christmas lunch they provide for people in the community.

One of the towns close to us has a lovely Christmas celebration out on a farm, I have made enquiries as to when is happening and will attend, even if I do so by myself. It is an evening event showing the Christian Christmas story with a bit of a modern twist. The wise men came by on motorbikes last year and the angels were in a cherry picker above the stable.

Christmas, for some reason it seems a little easier to accept this year. Think it has a lot to do with the grief processing I have been working on the last few months.

Wishing you all some inner peace and comfort to help you through what may be a rough time.

Cheers, from Mrs. Dools

[Chris_B]

Welcome to any new members reading! We have a media release out about Christmas at the moment, which references the forums and this thread. I have copied it below for you to read:

Be kind to your mental health this festive season

28 Nov 2017

Financial hardship, family conflict and loneliness can increase stress for people with anxiety and depression in the lead up to Christmas and New Year celebrations.

beyondblue clinical adviser Dr Stephen Carbone said people with mental health conditions should start thinking about coping strategies now for the festive season.

“Common triggers for people with mental health conditions during the holiday period include budget stress, being invited to more social engagements or being left on your own, and the pressure of living up to expectations,” Dr Carbone said.

“Most people find the Christmas and New Year period stressful, but if you have anxiety or depression an increased level of stress may cause an escalation of the condition.

“Stress is a fuel source for anxiety or depression, so the more stress there is the more those conditions flare up. Some people might start putting too much pressure on themselves about what they should buy or do for others. Others might dread catching up with family because it may end in conflict.”

Dr Carbone said people with mental health conditions should reduce the expectations on themselves so they can deal with the stress of Christmas and New Year.

“Be kind to yourself when you’re planning what you will do at this time of the year. It’s OK to look after yourself and say no to some things to reduce stress and keep things enjoyable,” he said.

People who may be alone at this time of year should also start planning ahead, Dr Carbone said.

“If you don’t want to be on your own during the festive season, you can contact organisations where you can connect with people,” Dr Carbone said.

“Community groups offer many opportunities to meet others in friendly and enjoyable settings. Most local councils publish a list of community groups on their websites.”

With Christmas just weeks away, beyondblue has created an online forum thread titled CHRISTMAS 2017/NEW YEARS Chillout Lounge where people can seek support, join conversations or learn coping strategies.

“Forum users can post anonymously about how they are feeling and share tips on how to cope during the festive season,” Dr Carbone said.

“A team of moderators and 18 community champions who have been affected by depression, anxiety and suicide monitor comments as they come in.

“It is a great way to speak about issues you might find difficult raising with a friend or family member and there will always be someone who can offer support and guide you on the right approach.”

The CHRISTMAS 2017/NEW YEARS Chillout Lounge thread is one of many beyondblue forums available online at beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums

Mental health professionals are available 24/7 at the beyondblue Support Service – 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat (3pm-12am ADST) or email responses (within 24 hours).