Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the Holiday Blues, and Your Sports Team Possibly Letting you Down. A Rafael and Jim Episode

Shrinks Rap

Rafael and Jim join forces after catching a 49’ers victory over Seattle at Levi Stadium to tackle the topic of what makes this time of the year particularly challenging (and not just for Lions fans). Football is only discussed at the “kickoff” of this episode. Instead, Rafael and Jim focus mainly on managing the holidays, demanding relatives, shorter days, and your bulging waistline practical tips.

Jim and Rafael share some of the strategies that have helped their clients stay resilient and hopeful. According to NAMI, 64% of individuals living with mental health challenges reported that their conditions worsened during the holidays. If Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) was not enough to contend with … how about being stuck with annoying relatives and guests? Clearly, this is when mindfulness strategies really come into play. Rafael and Jim emphasize setting realistic expectations and boundaries upfront. And when all else fails, they encourage you to learn to sidestep acrimonious discussions with grace. After all , “what you resist persists.” There is a lot of pressure to make the holidays perfect, to be perfect, and to overextend yourself. Don’t drink the eggnog (Kool-Aid)

The dinner table can be fertile ground for discourse and acrimony versus a much-needed time for community, restoration, peace, nurturance, and love. Inevitably, you will meet up with your archetypal family member or guest. These holiday-goers may come in the form of pleasers, placaters, agitators, bulldozers, blowhards, pontificators, advice givers, guilt trippers, know-it-alls, and/or dramatists. Whatever form they take (or you take), it’s important to be ready to handle whatever and whoever comes your way. ‘Tis the season!

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