Seasonal stress

ms troubl

es minds

fq Stormy weather, Christmas crunch brings biues

am By Deana Lancaster

ame Contributing Writer

THE lights are going up, the parties

are in full swing but on dull, grey,

Me drizzly days on the North Shore it’s
f sometimes hard to feel festive.

Some find it more difficult than others.

. “Holiday depression and stress are not
B uncommon,” said Denise Bowker, executive
director.of the North and West Vancouver
branch of the Canadian Mental Health
Association (CMHA). “People get disappoint-
ed and unhappy during the holidays.”

The western world is just entering the
dizzying, social season. It’s supposed to be
bright, merry and infused with good will. It’s
E also the season when depression can hit 2 pe

According to information provided by
CMHA the holiday season can be “a time of
self-evaluation, loneliness, reflection on past
‘failures,’ and anxiety about an uncertain
future.”

Depression can also be wiggered by the
mM overwhelming dem ods of the season: shop-
I ping, parties, family obligations, and house
guests. Sometimes, unrealistic expectations for
the season lead to depression when they aren‘t
fulfilled.

Advice from the CMHA on how to deal
@ with the seasonal blues includes:

Mi keep expectations for the holidays manage-
a able by not trying to make the holiday the

- best ever.” Organize your time. Set a budget

for Christmas spending and stick to it;

me © don’t be disappointed if your holidays are

not like they used to be. Each holiday season is
different and can be enjoyed in its own way;
@ do something for someone else. Try volun-

teering some time to h °

Benjoy holiday activiz:

driving around to foc

tions;

@ don't drink too much allonal.

drinking will only make sou r.ore depressed;
Biry something new. Celebrate the holidays i in
away you haven't done before:

@ spend time with people whe. care about you.
Make new friends if vou are alone. Contact
someone you have Jost touch v

Feeling down at this tiny) of year needn't
always be attribured to the trunmings and trap-
pings that go along with the -cason.

It could also be the weather.

“Seasonal affecti
of depression,” said Bow ser. “Research shows
it has to do with brightness. Scane people are
more affected by light —- whea they don’t get
enough the body gets out of balance.”

Researchers have linked it t2 melatonin, a
sleep related hormone produced and released
in the dark.

Bright light blocks the release of melatonin
and relieves winter depression.

Now that the days ave darker and there are
fewer hours of daylight. and especially during
the rainfalls that shower the North Shore, SAD
can take hold of some people and last through
February.

Phototherapy, or light therapy, is an eftec-
tive treatment for SAD in many people, as is
counselling to help cope with the depression.

For more information, cali the Canadian
Mental Health Association, North and West
Vancouver branch at 987-6959.

If you need someone to talk to, about any-
thing that’s got you down, you can call the 24-
hour line at the Vancouver Crisis Centre: 872-

#l Munroe backs home businesses

Finaily, Munroe suggested

NEWS photo Mike Wakefield
WES Plumtree of Morris the Tree Man removes a tree in the 600 block of West

Queens in North Vancouver. The tree toppled during iast weekend’s wind storm.

Collectors
Royal Doulton
Figurines

Hummels
PINS an toby Vonsdile Aiet

: From page 4

wants to implement a method
of determining genuine hous-
ing need in the district.
Munroe also said ne wants
to work towards “common
ground in the community so
mae we don’t polarize” and envi-

FACTORY FUTON

Entrance in rear ane

ronmentally friendly economic
development.

He explained that the
tourists who come to enjoy
North Vancouver's scenery
could be an opportunity to
support and expand the pro-
fessional arts in the communi-

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