• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • NEWS & EVENTS
  • CAREERS
  • FOUNDATION
  • BOD LOGIN
  • GALLERY
  • 765-463-7546
Westminster Village West Lafayette

Westminster Village West Lafayette

  • About Us
    • History
    • Mission & Values
    • Board of Directors
    • Department Directors
    • Life Care Services
  • Senior Solutions
    • Independent Living
    • Assisted Living
    • Memory Care
    • Rehabilitation Services
    • Long-Term Care
  • Lifestyle
    • Services & Amenities
    • Dining
    • Fitness & Rehab Center
    • Surrounding Area
    • Club WV
  • Health Services
    • Dimensions of Wellness
    • Village Care
  • Resources
    • Financial Assistance
    • Financial Calculator
    • F A Q s
  • Village Map
  • Contact
    • Contact Form
    • Map
    • Careers
  • Resident Login
  • BOD Login
  • News & Events
  • About Us
    • History
    • Mission & Values
    • Board of Directors
    • Department Directors
    • Life Care Services
  • Senior Solutions
    • Independent Living
    • Assisted Living & Memory Care
    • Memory Care
    • Rehabilitation Services
    • Long-Term Care
  • Lifestyle
    • Services & Amenities
    • Dining
    • Fitness & Rehab
    • Area
    • Club WV
  • Health Services
    • Dimensions of Wellness
    • Village Care
  • Resources
    • FAQs
    • Financial Assistance
  • SiteMap
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Form
    • Careers
    • Village Map
  • Foundation
  • Gallery
  • News & Events
  • Resident Log-In
  • BOD Log-In

Holidays with Less Stress and More Play

December 12, 2022 By wvwl

Sarah Yahiro, Live Well Trainer

As the holidays approach it can be a time of joyous celebration or the beginning of annual anxiety and holiday blues. Surveys by the American Psychological Association and National Alliance for Mental Illness find that for many people this time of year is associated with higher levels of stress, increased feelings of loneliness, and unrealistic expectations.

Some causes of the holiday blues can be avoided by finding a new perspective. People may feel that they have to be happy during this time of year. David Mischoulon, MD, PhD, director of the Depression Clinical and Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital says, “Many people feel pressured to do things or to have to enjoy themselves during the holidays, perhaps because they worry that their friends or coworkers may think there is something strange about them if they do not. This can lead to pressure to have fun.”  Dr. Mischoulon states, “Above all, people should give themselves permission to opt out of the holidays if they want to.”  If you want to skip the celebrations and traditions altogether, that’s okay. Do keep in mind that if you are feeling down for extended periods of time (not just the holiday blues) it is important to seek help

Approach the holidays with a playful, childlike spirit

If you decide to celebrate, approach the holidays with a playful, childlike spirit. Decorating cookies, singing Christmas carols, making a snow angel and opening a thoughtful gift can be enjoyable holiday activities. We may not be able to do all of those activities, but we can approach them with a positive attitude.

Play and celebration are not just for kids – they are vital parts of the human experience. Play helps us to connect to others, get physically active and can teach us new skills. As adults, we tend to avoid play, but it’s time to reintroduce ourselves to it. Geriatric psychologist Linda Ercoli, PhD, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior states, “Stress reduction is just one of the many benefits to play. Play also generates internal positivity, helps us laugh, and to just have fun.” The holidays are an excellent time to welcome play back into our lives.

Primary Sidebar


Village Chats

View our village chat video below and click on the link for more.

Click Here for More Videos

Footer

member badge Westminster Village West Lafayette
2021 Best of Senior Living Logo
managed by LCS

Contact Us

2741 North Salisbury St.
West Lafayette, IN 47906

765-463-7546

info@wvwl.org

Join our mailing list!
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Us:

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • About Us
    • History
    • Mission & Vision
    • Board of Directors
    • Life Care Services
  • Senior Solutions
    • Independent Living
    • Assisted Living & Memory Care
    • Long-Term-Care
  • Lifestyle
    • Services & Amenities
    • Dining
    • Fitness & Rehab
    • Surrounding Area
  • Health Services
    • Dimensions of Wellness
    • Village Care
  • Resources
    • Foundation
    • FAQs
    • Financial Assistance
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Form
    • News & Events

Notice of Non-Discrimination | Español | Deutsch | 繁體中文 | Deitsch | Français | العربية  | Tagalog | 한국어 | हिंदी  | 日本語 | Русский | Tiếng Việt | Nederlands | Polski | λληνικά 

Copyright © 2023 · Westminster Village West Lafayette

| Notice of Privacy Practices | FTC Privacy Policy