Paid Advertorial Vail Daily Speak Up RE CHOUT Eagle Valley Behavioral Health January 10, 2020o www.speakupreachout.org The Happiness Factor he holiday season is finally over. As a ski resort community, we get exceptionally busy, and often the coy fireplaces, wonderful dinners, amazing holiday lights, Christmas movies, and family gatherings that we ssociatewith this time of year, get put on hold, we are too busy to enjoy the holidays, the coveted timeof year when we shoukd be out having fun, laughing and eckbrating We think we may take some time to relax and enjoy it after the masses haveleft town. Yet somehow, olebrating afterward does not have the same feeling. Many who live bere, are not near family. Various reasons bring us to the mountains, and distance, along with the cost of travel during high seasons, can make family visits cost prohibitive. So, while we help others make incredible family memories, we often miss out. Even those with spoases and chiklren, find that because of intense work schedules, they are not home during holiday events, becanse they are needed at work, making it feel as though they are apart, even when only a few miles away. Loneliness in a crowd. it'sall too abundant in this valley, where we live, in an area where people come from around the world, to reconnect with family. Yet, we keep on going, reminding ourselves, we are living the dream. But that dream, the dream so many erave, kaves us with a sense of loneliness and that loneliness ereeps in and takes up residence. How do we overcome that feeling of isolation? How can we feel so alone, when we are constantly surrounded by people? How can we be so connected on social media, yet feel so disconnected? Why does everyone else look so happy and we feel so sad? What's wrong with me? Am I not worthy of friends. family, and happiness? How do I get over this slump? During the last few weeks, I have just not been me. Normally, I eelebrate holidays in full fore. trees, lights, music, food, parties, movies, all the accoutrements surrounding the holiday season. surroundings. Notice nature, the sights and sounds Some variation of this happens to everyone at some oint. Liing in a beautiful place comes at a price, and around you, the beauty of it all. Feel the synergy and calm. It will transform you. we all understand that logically, but emotionally it's a different story. Yet, loneliness is felt by all of us from time to time. So what happens when things get so kow that we begin to wonder if we'll ever get beyond it? What can we do to move forward? Part is strategs, and part is attitude. So what can we all do: Put a smile on your face: When sad, your body will assume a weak position. frown, slump, eyes down, My family is strung all over the country and because of logisties and cost, they had no ability to get together this year, which made me sad because I really wanted a Christmas like we used to have, particularly before ny dad died. Intellectually, I know that life happens, challenges occur, and many people up here don't spend the holidays with family. mumbled skow speech, hasically a defeated stance. It is your mind telling yourbody what to do when you're sad. However, it's a 2-way communication. Your body often tells your mind how to react. ever stubbed your toe? Take the time you need to decompress and feel the Gratitude: Once we are able to identify happiness, we can build upon it. From the big things, like the love of somcone special, a wonderful career or home; to the smaller blessings like a good cup of coffee, seat heaterson a cold morning, a friendly driver letting you raw emotions: If feeling sad, experience it, then after a period of time, set it aside and make a decision, that I foand myselfelosing offemotionally; not caring about any of it. not Thanksgiving. Christmas, New Year's while it's okay to be disappointed and unhappy, we all go through it, it is not a place where vou want to nope of it. There was an emptiness and sadness to the entire seavon instead of tradition and happiness. I was beginning to understand Scrooge's perspective. Was I hecoming one of those bitter people? in at a traflic jam; or the things we take for granted, like being in good health. Gratitude is the finst step towards happiness. llegin your day listing 5-things you are grateful for and end your day with recalling 5-things that went really well. That gratitude-happiness take up pemanent residency. Stand up straight, walk with authority, put a smile on your face (yes, force it). and instead of thinking of loneliness, think about how Could I party my way into a celebratory mood? By perspectivewill train you to notice the best of everything joining in on the overeating of too much rich food; the around you, and the not-so-good parts will pale in consumption of more alcohol than nomal; and random sleep patterns, my normal routine was replaced with Comparison. Noticing the good around you will soon an odd array of activities, to keep me buw, and away become habit; a habit that brings with it, happiness. from thinking about how sad I was. Pretending to be hapmy became a full-time joh for December. It was a Your body needs nourishment and rest, particularly blur of activity that accomplished absolutely nothing: under dures. Giing our body what it needs for optimal not at work, home, or in the community. Pretending to performane, assures better results. if we are in crisis celebrate the holiddays was exhausting. wonderful it is that you have the freedom of time, to yourself, to plan and prepare for your fature. There is a difference between being akone and being lonely, Volunteer: It baildscommunity, you make connections with the people you are helping, and you cultivate friendships with other volunteers. Loneliness and cial ivalation are twoof the most severe epidemies in Be kind to yourself: Keep your machine in ton shane the world today and volunteering increases socializing ultimately reducing loneliness. The benefits of consistent socializing include better brain function and lower risk for depression and ansiety. You also improve mode, we cannot afford for our boly to give out to sickness or injury because of negleet. Eat well, skeep more: there are many strategies available for hoth. In order to distract myself I booked a quick trip for me and my basband, only to retum on Christmas Eve and it hit like a brick wall. I wasn't ok and my emotions were boiling over. A new loss in my life brought up so mach suppressed emotion and grief from the death of my dad, I guess, this is what they mean by "holiday blues. Trying to make things perfect in an imperfect world is not only tiring but unrealistic, yet, as if a glutton for punishment, we attempt it every year. Yet, we must carry on, and carry on I did. your immune system. Finally, surround yourself with people who being the best out in vou. While, it is tempting to drown your Mix up the routine: Nothing sereams boredom more than doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result (Einstein. not sodumb). Yet, we all do it! Wemustevaluate what wetruly want in our lives and examine if weare working towards those goals. sorrows with people who are in even worse shape than vou, beine with those who regularhy overcome their challenges, will inspire you to press beyond what you think is possible. They may see a vision of you that you can't quite imagine, yet. You are not alone; we've all been there. Get Outdoors: People feel inspired and tranquil in the mountains. There is something magical that happens here. When stressed, just take an hour (you're going to waste it worrying, anyway) and go for a walk or Paid Advertorial Vail Daily Speak Up RE CHOUT Eagle Valley Behavioral Health January 10, 2020o www.speakupreachout.org The Happiness Factor he holiday season is finally over. As a ski resort community, we get exceptionally busy, and often the coy fireplaces, wonderful dinners, amazing holiday lights, Christmas movies, and family gatherings that we ssociatewith this time of year, get put on hold, we are too busy to enjoy the holidays, the coveted timeof year when we shoukd be out having fun, laughing and eckbrating We think we may take some time to relax and enjoy it after the masses haveleft town. Yet somehow, olebrating afterward does not have the same feeling. Many who live bere, are not near family. Various reasons bring us to the mountains, and distance, along with the cost of travel during high seasons, can make family visits cost prohibitive. So, while we help others make incredible family memories, we often miss out. Even those with spoases and chiklren, find that because of intense work schedules, they are not home during holiday events, becanse they are needed at work, making it feel as though they are apart, even when only a few miles away. Loneliness in a crowd. it'sall too abundant in this valley, where we live, in an area where people come from around the world, to reconnect with family. Yet, we keep on going, reminding ourselves, we are living the dream. But that dream, the dream so many erave, kaves us with a sense of loneliness and that loneliness ereeps in and takes up residence. How do we overcome that feeling of isolation? How can we feel so alone, when we are constantly surrounded by people? How can we be so connected on social media, yet feel so disconnected? Why does everyone else look so happy and we feel so sad? What's wrong with me? Am I not worthy of friends. family, and happiness? How do I get over this slump? During the last few weeks, I have just not been me. Normally, I eelebrate holidays in full fore. trees, lights, music, food, parties, movies, all the accoutrements surrounding the holiday season. surroundings. Notice nature, the sights and sounds Some variation of this happens to everyone at some oint. Liing in a beautiful place comes at a price, and around you, the beauty of it all. Feel the synergy and calm. It will transform you. we all understand that logically, but emotionally it's a different story. Yet, loneliness is felt by all of us from time to time. So what happens when things get so kow that we begin to wonder if we'll ever get beyond it? What can we do to move forward? Part is strategs, and part is attitude. So what can we all do: Put a smile on your face: When sad, your body will assume a weak position. frown, slump, eyes down, My family is strung all over the country and because of logisties and cost, they had no ability to get together this year, which made me sad because I really wanted a Christmas like we used to have, particularly before ny dad died. Intellectually, I know that life happens, challenges occur, and many people up here don't spend the holidays with family. mumbled skow speech, hasically a defeated stance. It is your mind telling yourbody what to do when you're sad. However, it's a 2-way communication. Your body often tells your mind how to react. ever stubbed your toe? Take the time you need to decompress and feel the Gratitude: Once we are able to identify happiness, we can build upon it. From the big things, like the love of somcone special, a wonderful career or home; to the smaller blessings like a good cup of coffee, seat heaterson a cold morning, a friendly driver letting you raw emotions: If feeling sad, experience it, then after a period of time, set it aside and make a decision, that I foand myselfelosing offemotionally; not caring about any of it. not Thanksgiving. Christmas, New Year's while it's okay to be disappointed and unhappy, we all go through it, it is not a place where vou want to nope of it. There was an emptiness and sadness to the entire seavon instead of tradition and happiness. I was beginning to understand Scrooge's perspective. Was I hecoming one of those bitter people? in at a traflic jam; or the things we take for granted, like being in good health. Gratitude is the finst step towards happiness. llegin your day listing 5-things you are grateful for and end your day with recalling 5-things that went really well. That gratitude-happiness take up pemanent residency. Stand up straight, walk with authority, put a smile on your face (yes, force it). and instead of thinking of loneliness, think about how Could I party my way into a celebratory mood? By perspectivewill train you to notice the best of everything joining in on the overeating of too much rich food; the around you, and the not-so-good parts will pale in consumption of more alcohol than nomal; and random sleep patterns, my normal routine was replaced with Comparison. Noticing the good around you will soon an odd array of activities, to keep me buw, and away become habit; a habit that brings with it, happiness. from thinking about how sad I was. Pretending to be hapmy became a full-time joh for December. It was a Your body needs nourishment and rest, particularly blur of activity that accomplished absolutely nothing: under dures. Giing our body what it needs for optimal not at work, home, or in the community. Pretending to performane, assures better results. if we are in crisis celebrate the holiddays was exhausting. wonderful it is that you have the freedom of time, to yourself, to plan and prepare for your fature. There is a difference between being akone and being lonely, Volunteer: It baildscommunity, you make connections with the people you are helping, and you cultivate friendships with other volunteers. Loneliness and cial ivalation are twoof the most severe epidemies in Be kind to yourself: Keep your machine in ton shane the world today and volunteering increases socializing ultimately reducing loneliness. The benefits of consistent socializing include better brain function and lower risk for depression and ansiety. You also improve mode, we cannot afford for our boly to give out to sickness or injury because of negleet. Eat well, skeep more: there are many strategies available for hoth. In order to distract myself I booked a quick trip for me and my basband, only to retum on Christmas Eve and it hit like a brick wall. I wasn't ok and my emotions were boiling over. A new loss in my life brought up so mach suppressed emotion and grief from the death of my dad, I guess, this is what they mean by "holiday blues. Trying to make things perfect in an imperfect world is not only tiring but unrealistic, yet, as if a glutton for punishment, we attempt it every year. Yet, we must carry on, and carry on I did. your immune system. Finally, surround yourself with people who being the best out in vou. While, it is tempting to drown your Mix up the routine: Nothing sereams boredom more than doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result (Einstein. not sodumb). Yet, we all do it! Wemustevaluate what wetruly want in our lives and examine if weare working towards those goals. sorrows with people who are in even worse shape than vou, beine with those who regularhy overcome their challenges, will inspire you to press beyond what you think is possible. They may see a vision of you that you can't quite imagine, yet. You are not alone; we've all been there. Get Outdoors: People feel inspired and tranquil in the mountains. There is something magical that happens here. When stressed, just take an hour (you're going to waste it worrying, anyway) and go for a walk or