Page 32 - Christiana Care Focus December 2018

Let’s Commit To Be Fit |
Emotional wellbeing keeps the sparkle in the holidays
There are so many stressful situations around the holidays that it’s often challenging to be merry.
We have too many items on our to-do lists and too
little time to accomplish those tasks. In a season that celebrates family togetherness, some of us are confronted with difficult relationships. Some of us are alone. We feel pressure to spend money on gifts, whether we can afford it or not. We are tempted to eat too much. Or drink too much.
Stop. Pause. And practice behaviors focused on caring for yourself.
An easily accessible resource for promoting emotional wellbeing during the holidays — and throughout the year — is Christiana Care’s Employee Assistance Program, ComPsych/EAP.
It’s a benefit provided at no cost to employees and their dependents. The EAP can help you to approach the holidays with confidence, empowering you to embrace the season with joy instead of trepidation.
Here are some tips for building the emotional resilience that can help you to bounce back from stressful situations:
• Don’t think of problems as mountains you can’t climb. You have handled difficult times in the past.
Be confident that you can make it through this challenge, too. Think of it as a learning experience that will help you in the future.
• Accept that change is a natural part of life. We can’t control everything. But we can control how we respond to change and move on with our lives.
• Think long term. And think positive. To stay on track, set attainable goals for yourself so you will feel a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
• Take good care of yourself. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Get lots of sleep and exercise regularly. Take it easy on alcohol and caffeine.
Never underestimate the power of gratitude. At times,
we can become overwhelmed by the commercialism of the season instead of being grateful for what we do have. Gratitude is a gift we give to ourselves. It helps to ground us in situations that are challenging. It helps us to tune out negativity.
You can find lots of great advice for dealing with behavioral health issues through GuidanceResources Online on the wellness portal.
If you need to talk with a behavioral health specialist, the EAP can help with that, too. You can consult a professional online. Or, you can call in and speak to someone who can connect you with a resource in the community for a face-to-face visit. 
The confidential Employee Assistance Program is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at
(877) 595-5284. You can also access web-based tools and information at www.guidanceresources.com (Web ID: EAPComplete).
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