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Clinic offers tips for managing stress during the holidays

  • Published
  • By Maj. Vanessa Wong
  • Tinker Mental Health Clinic
Tinker Public Affairs --  Managing stress on a day-to-day basis can be taxing; managing stress during the holidays can be even more so for multiple reasons. Holidays for people struggling with depression can intensify feelings of isolation and hopelessness. Here are some tips to help you get through this holiday season:

· Make a plan to do something fun. Force yourself to leave your comfort zone and DO SOMETHING.
· Spoil yourself -- treat yourself to something you normally wouldn't.
· Laugh -- a lot ... or at least force yourself to laugh for five minutes a day. There is a whole movement based on the healing properties of laughter.
· Examine your expectations and feelings. Are you actually alone or have you isolated yourself from others? When was the last time you let someone know you wanted to connect with them?
· Be there and reach out to others. Let others know they matter to you. Become important to someone. Let them know they are seen, you hear them, you care and they matter.
· Finally, whatever you do, don't watch sad movies!

If you need help or you know someone who may need help, please reach out. There are many available resources in person, on the phone, online and even over text. The Tinker Mental Health Clinic can be reached at 582-6603. The chaplain can be reached at 734-2111. The Military and Family Life consultant's number is 754-7908 and the Employee Assistance Program for Civilians is at 734-6691. You can also download the Wingman Project app for your smartphone, which has multiple resources and the ability to text with someone. There is also the Military Crisis Line, which can be reached at 1-800-273-8255 (press 1).

You also have the ability to chat online with a counselor at www.militarycrisisline.net or text them at 838255. Additionally, a counselor through Military One Source can be reached by calling 1-800-342-9647 to set up face to face counseling, telephone counseling and online message counseling through www.militaryonesource.com.

As the old MasterCard commercial says: Calling for help -- FREE. Reaching out and letting someone know you care and they are important -- PRICELESS.

"Out of your vulnerabilities will come your strength." -- Sigmund Freud