While the holidays bring smiles and feelings of warmth, excitement and love for many, for some people, the festivities also carry the weight of gloomy holiday blues. Each person faces the season in an individual way some with exuberance and joy, some with disdain and utter loneliness. The former approach keeps St. Nick jolly; the latter can be the final blow for a combat veteran.
Our senses are flooded at this time of year with lights, colors and sounds of coming celebrations. These same sounds that excite us can have the reverse effect on a combat vet, triggering irritability, depression, anger and social isolation.
Suicide rates among combat veterans remain the highest and most unacceptable statistic in the United States 22 per day. And the cheery holiday season is no exception.
However, many studies have shown that happiness can help combat the holiday blues. But the question remains: How do people find happiness when they are blue?
The Veterans Health Administration believes that laughter is a persons own best medicine.
According to the Veteran Affairs health guide, laughter, which in itself does not produce endorphins, does generate an endorphin release, thereby producing a feeling of well-being. Endorphins are a group of peptides, resembling opiates, that are released in the body in response to stress or trauma and that react with the brains opiate receptors to reduce the sensation of pain. Exercise contributes to an increased production of endorphins.
It is important for veterans to find social settings where they can meet with old friends or family which can lead to the increased chance of laughter. While laughter is one of the bodys best coping mechanisms for combating the holiday blues, it is important to not overstimulate the fight-or-flight system within by rushing from activity to activity.
The Veterans Health Administration suggests some quality down time. Find a good book, take a walk, listen to some music and leave the chatter and the busyness of the world where it belongs outside.
Other seasonal tips include setting reasonable health goals, working out regularly (without expecting to become Arnold Schwarzenegger in two short months!), living within financial means, giving from the heart and not the pocketbook and, lastly, taking in as much sunlight as possible in the winter months.
If you know a veteran who seems distant over the holidays, bring that person some joy. A card, some baked goods and sometimes simply a smile and a Thank you for your service could make the difference in that veterans day, or even in that veterans life.
