In The Moment Mindful Awareness
Issue #2 December 2006	www.Aida-Therapy.com
Rob Williams, MSW, MBA, LGSW Psychotherapy 1900 Q ST NW, Ste 401 Washington, DC 20036 202.330.5390   REGISTER HERE for Mindful Awareness groups starting in January!   >>> Forward this to someone who might benefit from this help!     Send me your questions!   E-mail: rob@aida-therapy.com   Visit on the Web: www.aida-therapy.com	In this issue:  Maintaining Mental Health Is Key To Having A Happy, Healthy, Holiday Season “The holidays are known as much for stress and anxiety as they are for joyful times with family and friends”   It is easy to get caught up in the holiday frenzy, but there's never a more important time to remember to take care of your mental health.   It's really important to maintain a focus on your mental health over the holidays. If you feel yourself starting to become stressed out, it's really important to take some quality time for yourself. But if you start feeling sad or hopeless for a prolonged period, it's a good idea to seek professional help.   You can minimize stress and mental anguish over the holidays by remembering to follow a few simple tips:   Stress Tip #1: Set reasonable expectations. ►Remember the spirit of the season. It's not about who has the best decorated house or who can buy the most gifts. You, along with your family and friends, will have a more pleasant experience if you're not overextended.   Stress Tip #2: Don't take on more than you can handle. ►If your to-do list becomes too long, divide the tasks over the course of a week. One long list suddenly looks shorter when there are only a couple of tasks to complete each day. Also, DELEGATE tasks. It's okay to ask for help!   Stress Tip #3: Schedule time alone. ►It doesn't have to be a lot of time. Fifteen minutes of quiet time can be quite rejuvenating, particularly for parents or in households where there's a lot of activity or company from out-of-town. Make a cup of tea, go for a walk, or find somewhere quiet to retreat. The sounds of silence will be music to your ears.   Stress Tip #4: Be honest with family and friends about your moods. ►Make sure there's someone you can talk to over the holidays. Don't be afraid of bringing everyone down with your mood; your family and friends may be worried about you, and you will all feel better if there's an open line of communication. Once you vocalize your feelings to someone you trust, you'll be better able to manage your moods. If you attend a support group, be sure to maintain your regular schedule of doing so. You'll not only be getting the support you need, you'll be helping your peers as well.   With these tips in mind, you will be more likely to have a mentally healthy and happy holiday season. The question you have to ask yourself is, ‘Can I afford not to take care of my own mental health now or at any other stressful time?’   This information is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. If you’re having a hard time emotionally using this, or other tips, don’t hesitate to call me. We’ll find something that works for you. I’m here to help.   Happy & Healthy Holidays,   Rob Williams, MSW, MBA, LGSW Psychotherapist   Source Citation: Medical News Today http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=57110&nfid=crss
	Getting Help and Support from the Author: If you know of someone in need of help regarding anxiety or stress or other mental health issue, please give me a call. I’m here to help. 202.330.5390 or rob@aida-therapy.com   Rob Williams, MSW, MBA, LGSW 1900 Q ST NW, Suite 401 Washington, DC 20036 202.330.5390 map & directions    Notice of copyright: This newsletter is copyright in its entirety by Rob Williams, 2006, all rights reserved, and may not be reprinted in part or whole without the express permission of the author. Click here to visit my website.   The Fine Print: You are subscribed as To share it with others, simply forward a copy of this email. To receive your own copy and receive news and resources, articles, trainings and other tools, please click here to subscribe to this newsletter. To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please click here. [Home] [About] [Therapy] [Directions] [Groups] [FAQ]