The Christmas season is here again and along with the ever present Christmas carols, holiday parties,

frantic shoppers, delicious food and drinks, generous gift - giving and family traditions can come joy, as well as stress.

Christmas can be a happy time with family and friends, or a difficult time for those not spending it with the ones they love. It can also be hard for those who are ill, or caring for someone who is ill. This season can also bring tremendous loneliness. In fact, some places report an increase in suicide attempts during the holiday season, for precisely this reason.

Financial strain can be another stressor at this festive time. The pressure to buy, buy, buy can push already strained budgets over the limit and create regret and problems in the New Year.

Decem ber 2019

'Tis the season ... for self care!

JUMPING THOSE HOLIDAY HURDLES!

WI SHI NG YOU

A

JOYOUS

CHRI STMAS

AND

A

HAPPY NEW

YEAR!

SVGCC COUSELLING DEPARTMENT

Family traditions to gather together can

come with their own unique pressures to fit

back into "assigned roles" whether they are

healthy or not. An article in the New York

Times in fact, calls this an "inevitable

regression" into what psychologists identify

as patterns of behavior, which repeat in

families and are not always healthy. It is

suggested that these patterns keep repeating

because they create some type of balance in

the family system.

So every year, at Christmas, ? _______ (fill in

the blank with whatever unique issue your

family may experience at this time)!

What can we do to deal with these holiday

hurdles?

Here are a few tips to ease the strain.

Try em pat hy for

those left alone in

this season. Reach

out in whatever way

you can. Let them

know someone

remembers and

cares for them.

Resist t he urge to blow the budget.

If you already have financial problems, this is

a very tempting time to create some more

problems. If you feel you must give gifts,

consider alternative approaches to gift giving.

For example, try a) giving handmade gifts

which because they are personalized, unique

and made by you, may have even more

special meaning b) offering time to help with

baking, cleaning, baby sitting or other chores

and errands c) giving gift certificates for

walks together, movie dates or other things

you enjoy.

Don?t expect dram at ic changes in family dynamics, you may be disappointed. You can try alternative ways to deal with the dynamics. Give yourself some time away if you need it, with others who lift your spirits and may not apply the same pressures to fall back into unhealthy habits.

Take some time to rest and rejuvenat e. Say

farewell to this decade and look forward with

hope and anticipation to a new one!

Andr ea GAYMES - MOHESS, M.A.

r Eminder s

Tr y EMPATHY

DON'T BLOW Your budget

Adj ust expectat ions

Rest and r ej uvenat e

Som e th ings do not change but you can!

Reach out to som eone in need.

Ayana Hypol it e, M. Ed.

We ar e her e t o hel p!

Email: andr ea.gaymes @svgcc.vc

Tel: (784)457-4503 Ext. 368

Email: ayana.hypolite@svgcc.vc

Tel: (784)457-4503 Ext. 375

The counselling department of the SVGCC is here to offer you support. Feel free to call, email or walk - in to arrange an

appointment! Our offices are located in each division of the college. Our team looks forward to assisting you!

Give f r om the hear t not the pocket .

Give the gi f t of r enewal to your sel f .