tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075446136550534568.post7353025154902182071..comments2023-12-20T02:38:41.665-06:00Comments on Healthy Writer: The Dark Side of the HolidaysTrish Milburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08812010789617982102noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075446136550534568.post-36550229002451078402009-12-15T09:22:20.525-06:002009-12-15T09:22:20.525-06:00I remember 2004. I'm so glad that things are ...I remember 2004. I'm so glad that things are better now.<br /><br />I can't believe what a difference exercise makes to my mood too. It's almost shocking. Really, Zumba can cure almost any bad mood or funk - at least for awhile.Michelle Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02942323903767732265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075446136550534568.post-37883877009860756542009-12-14T22:47:58.956-06:002009-12-14T22:47:58.956-06:00Michelle, you have hit on so many things that had ...Michelle, you have hit on so many things that had me nodding. I think one of my worst Christmas seasons was in 2004. My mother-in-law had died of cancer that year, I'd hit the 10-year mark of writing without getting published, family stressors brought by the holidays heaped on top of that and I literally had a bit of a nervous breakdown/depression. It was awful. I'd never not enjoyed a holiday season because I love Christmas.<br /><br />I do think the regular exercise is a huge help with mood, especially during the colder, shorter, darker days of winter. I can definitely tell a difference in my mood on days when I exercise versus on the ones I don't.Trish Milburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08812010789617982102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075446136550534568.post-89855767769838472442009-12-14T09:42:25.927-06:002009-12-14T09:42:25.927-06:00Best wishes for the family visit, Elise. I'm ...Best wishes for the family visit, Elise. I'm so glad that running is such a healthy outlet for you. <br /><br />I know it's a different situation - but I've had to work out a lot how much guilt and jealousy defined/influenced my relationship with my sister after she had her stroke at 5. One big thing I had to learn/am learning is that denying myself something because she can't have it does not make her better or help her while it can very much hurt me. It feels better at the other end of that working out process. Acceptance is part of that, but I can't articulate it well - and it still hurts at times. There's just some moments when it hits you all over again - and it can feel so fresh and new in those particular seconds and you just want to rage all over again. <br /><br />Best wishes for you and your family during the visit!Michelle Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02942323903767732265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075446136550534568.post-85515559421945598382009-12-14T08:22:30.980-06:002009-12-14T08:22:30.980-06:00Stress is definitely an issue for me at the holida...Stress is definitely an issue for me at the holidays. My family's visiting this year and while it's great to have them here, it's a complex kind of joy. <br /><br />Grief is part of the visit, since my sister sustained a major head injury many years ago and is now a very different person from the girl I grew up with. I only see her once a year or so, so I know I haven't really gone through the full grieving process yet (a process that's complicated, anyway, since she's still alive, but radically different). So the visit will mix holiday and mourning for me. <br /><br />Running will definitely be my friend during that holiday week--I'll take longer, more frequent runs to get some alone time in the morning and clear my head before the day gets started.Elise Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01228389091580390610noreply@blogger.com