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Feeling the pressure to put a smile on and hide how you genuinely feel this Holiday?

Perhaps you feel if you share your true feelings & struggles you will let your family & friends down.

Amanda has been there, herself and it is why she wants to take the time today to discuss a common challenge many of us can face this time of year. Whether you battling depression, anxiety, an increase in trauma triggers or the Holiday blues, this episode is for you.

The Holidays come with many demands and Amanda has done her best to support, encourage & guide you through this Holiday Season. We hope you can leave after listening to today's episode feeling seen, heard & encouraged. 

SHOW NOTES:

In today's episode, How to embrace the Holidays with Depression we discuss,

1. Ten reasons we may see a decline in our mental health & suffer from depression this time of year

• The weather changes. We are dealing with colder, darker and shorter days. Naturally, this can impact our mental health especially if we have a mental illness.
• Overstimulation by the thought & participation of social gatherings, Holiday shopping & more.
• An increase in distractions can make it difficult to stay grounded & engaged, particularly when navigating trauma & mental illness
• Suppressed emotions, putting a smile on and acting like everything is okay when it is not.
• Increase in loneliness due to suffering in silence. Not wanting to disappoint or be a burden to our loved ones.
• Reflection as we approach a new year. Feeling discouraged that we have not been able to achieve or do as much as we would have liked, due to our chronic illness, pain, trauma or mental illness
• Financial hardship & stress. For many, this Holiday revolves around consumerism and that can add a complex layer of stress & emotions for us with low income or financial challenges.
• Not being able to partake in the Holiday as you may have in the past due to your limitations, symptoms, pain & mental illness struggles.
• Being confronted with the fact that your family may be more than a little dysfunctional and feeling the need to put yourself in unhealthy dynamics to appease others.
• Accepting that our chronic conditions, pain, trauma and mental illness do not go away or give us a break, despite it being quote on a quote the happiest time of the year. 

These are just a few of the reasons we can see a decline in our mental health and suffer from depression this time of year. Whatever your reason or reasons may be please know you are NOT alone and it is not hopeless. We can still have a good Holiday.

Amanda then goes on to share seven ways to navigate depression & mental illness this season. Of course, this is a summary and we encourage you to listen to the full episode to get the most encouragement and value out of today's episode.

• Acknowledge, allow & accept. 
• Bringing awareness to our thoughts, emotions, and triggers.
• Be disciplined by working within your capacity, not your capability.
• Embrace the small moments of joy, peace, and feelings of love.
• Know you do not need to have a reason to be depressed. Depression can happen to anyone no matter how well life may be going.
• Give yourself space, time, care & compassion.
• Be aware of past memories & grief that could be contributing to your depression. Amanda shares her personal story walking through the loss of her father two years this January and how that impacted her depression greatly last year around this time. 

Lastly, Amanda reminds us that we are not alone and that as much as depression can make us feel like there is no hope & that our mental health can never improve, it can. With the right support, medications and strategies depression can improve. It will not happen overnight and it will require us to be vulnerable, however, it is worth it. 

Whatever you may be facing this season please know Amanda always offers a FREE one-hour consultation call. Amanda coaches and consults those suffering from chronic illnesses and pain, as well as, trauma, depression and anxiety being the three most frequent mental illnesses she has worked with.

Book your FREE one-hour consultation call Here: https://embracingthepain.hbportal.co/schedule/616323e077a4ec1aab263a64

We can often think of every reason in the book to not get support for our mental illness and we strongly encourage anyone listening today to reach out to your physician if you are suffering from mental illness & needing extra support. There is NO need to feel ashamed or embarrassed. You are wanted and loved. 

Amanda hopes that today's episode has you leaving encouraged, seen and feeling more hopeful about how to approach this Holiday if you are indeed suffering from depression, chronic illness, pain or trauma.

Amanda's inbox is always open.

Connect with Amanda Today: amanda@embracingthepain.com

If your enjoyed this episode and found it helpful please leave a review and share it with a friend. 

Leave a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/embracing-the-pain/id1616242542 

Are you looking to the new year with hope and excitement or dread & hopelessness? If you want to head into the new year knowing you have personalized support, coaching, guidance, and exclusive methods, you can learn more by visiting Amanda's website.

Learn more at: https://www.embracingthepain.com/

Looking to connect with Amanda on a daily basis? Follow Embracing The Pain on Instagram today. Amanda shares her day-to-day and ALL the behind the scenes in her stories.

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embracingthepain_1dayat_a_time/

Amanda will be back next Wednesday with another Holiday related episode. Until then, know you are loved, worthy & wanted. 

See you next week!