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    The Counseling Corner
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Don’t Fall Into The Holiday Alcohol Trap
                           by the American Counseling Association

The holiday season brings increased amounts of stress and pressure. It also brings increased opportunities to escape that stress. From
office parties to family gatherings, the holidays offer lots of chances to be with people we like and enjoy a drink or two... or more.
Holiday drinking can be a very real problem for many reasons. Not only are there more occasions to consume alcohol, but often to do
so in situations that encourage excessive consumption.
In addition, holiday parties may have people drinking who seldom drink at other times. Such people may have lower alcohol tolerance,
meaning just a drink or two can leave them quite intoxicated, even though their actual blood alcohol level may be quite low.
The high numbers of traffic accidents and traffic deaths related to alcohol during the holiday season is one resulting problem that most
of us know.  
But excessive holiday drinking can also result in other stress-inducing problems. Just one unthinking comment or improper action at
an office holiday party has sabotaged more than one promising career. And who hasn’t experienced a horrific family gathering when
Uncle Fred starts drinking and sharing his feelings about family members?
The key is to keep holiday alcohol consumption under control. Here are some tips on how to make that easier:
- Remember you have choices.  A holiday party is an opportunity to socialize and have fun, not just drink.  You get to choose whether
to drink or not, and when to stop drinking before you go too far.
- Feel confident enough in yourself to say no.  Just because alcohol is available, or a host is pushing drinks, doesn’t mean you have to
indulge. There’s nothing embarrassing about asking for a non-alcoholic drink. If someone tries to shame you into drinking, realize the
problem is his, not yours.
- Use a designated driver. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair driving ability.  Why take chances? No designated driver? Then
call a cab.
- If you’re going to drink alcohol, decide ahead of time how many drinks are right for you. Choose a number that keeps you in
control and then stick to it.
Don’t add to holiday stress and pressure with alcohol related problems. You have the ability to make choices to drink wisely. And if
alcohol is a problem you can’t control, seek help. Your physician, local hospital or counseling professional can offer ways to attack
the problem.
“The Counseling Corner” is provided as a public service by the American Counseling Association, the nation’s largest organization
of counseling professionals.  Learn more about the counseling profession at the ACA web site, www.counseling.org.
Suplements
Do the Holidays Have You Feeling Blue?
by the American Counseling Association

It’s the holiday season and everywhere people are happy and excited...except you. Instead, you’re feeling stressed and
depressed.  It’s called the “holiday blues” and it’s a fairly common condition, though one often hidden behind false holiday
smiles.
One reason the holiday season can seem depressing is that it comes at a time when we may be mentally summing up the
year, especially its troubles and shortcomings. Year-end memories commonly focus on problems of the past year --
illnesses, loss of loved ones, work or relationship problems, or things falling short of our expectations -- rather than the
positive happenings of the year.  
The holidays are also a busy time. Added to the normal stresses of daily living are the anxieties of gift buying, holiday
parties, family issues, social obligations and other stress-inducers of this season.
Holiday media images can also leave us with impossibly perfect holiday expectations.  Advertising, TV shows, and
magazine stories are present wonderful family holidays that never happen in real life, but still leave us feeling that we’re
falling short of how things should be.        All these complications of the season can certainly leave us feeling blue, but there
are steps to take to minimize their effect on our emotional state.
A healthy lifestyle is a good start.  Instead of overeating or drinking excessively because you’re feeling stressed, make
conscious decisions to enjoy holiday food and drink, but to do so in moderation. At non-party times, choose tasty low-fat
foods. You’ll feel better and avoid the stress of holiday weight gain.
Other healthy lifestyle decisions include getting enough sleep and exercise. A brisk daily walk in the sunshine is a very
effective way to fight depression. Studies also fine even moderate exercise can reduce stress and mild depression.
You also want to stay connected. Feeling sad often causes people to withdraw and isolate themselves. Instead, make a real
effort to spend time with friends, to call or write those you care about and to remember past good times you’ve enjoyed with
these people.
Simply talking about your holiday feelings with friends can also help. Their support and comfort can make a real difference.
And while the holiday blues are usually only temporary and fairly mild, talk to a counseling professional if your depression
feels deeper and more than just a symptom of the season.
“The Counseling Corner” is provided as a public service by the American Counseling Association, the nation’s largest
organization of counseling professionals.  Learn more about the counseling profession at the ACA web site, www.
counseling.org.