Tommy Williams | Shreveport Times

Welcome, once again to the holiday season. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and have much around you for which to be thankful. Im reminded of the old Zig Ziglar quote about having an attitude of gratitude. Seems that outlook is step one to a joyful experience in life. And is it just me, or does it seem like Christmas decorations are coming out earlier each year?

As I sat in on a luncheon conversation this week I was stricken by an observation. I havent heard anyone complain about their investment advisor in a while! It is true that most individual investors think about the next correction in terms of when, not if well experience a significant downturn. However, as long as accounts move at some pace in a positive direction investor unhappiness will be at a low ebb.

But, as youll recall, it hasnt always been that way. Market corrections are a natural and even healthy part of the economic system. We actually had a doozy last year (bottoming in March), but it happened so fast and before we could gather our wits and try to react it bounced back just as quickly. Being locked down in our houses fearing the outcome of the virus was also top of mind, so our anxiety meter was a little out of whack.

My most memorable experience of investor dissatisfaction happened in early 2009. The subprime mortgage housing bubble was in full force and the news was all about the potential collapse of our entire financial system. A client called me to tell me about his close friend who was concerned about his life savings. I assured him that I knew how he felt and would be glad to help his colleague if I could. We made an appointment to meet the following day.

I was waiting in the conference room to meet this disgruntled investor when he stormed in red faced and agitated. With great animation he slammed an inch thick stack of statements on the table and bellowed (Im leaving out a series of expletives for a family friendly reading) My broker is downtown under his desk not taking calls! I glanced down and caught a glimpse of the logo of a well-known brokerage firm. A firm that was navigating the exact same recession with which I was dealing. We were all in the same boat. Thankfully I was able to retain my composure and simply asked How do you think I can help you? We then settled into a discussion that included his belief that hed lost about half of his savings and it was just a matter of time before the other half was gone. As our conversation me listening as he unloaded months of frustration - progressed one glaring thing emerged. He had called his broker numerous times and got no response. No communication at all, except occasional form letters from New York. When the going gets tough, thats when communication is the most important. This particular individual knew everyones account was down in value, but his friends seemed to be getting a steady stream of communication. Some had even claimed to have moved to cash anticipating the downturn (Well spend more time on that issue at a later date).

I tell that story for a reason. One, Ill never forget that experience. But unto each life some rain must fall. Back to today. There will be a downturn, though our memories can be short and these great returns since March 23, 2020, cannot continue forever. As you head toward the new year make sure you are on the same page with your advisor. Take stock of whats changed (your appetite for risk, need for income, whatever) and be sure you are communicating. If your advisor is under his desk not taking calls or better yet not in touch with you find someone who does communicate effectively and can minimize the anxiety of managing your savings. A lot has changed in the last 18 months. I bet you have changed. In the meantime, my wish for you is that you will enjoy a wonderful holiday season.

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. The economic forecasts set forth in the presentation may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful. Performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly. Investing involves risk including loss of principal.

RFG Advisory and its Investment Advisor Representatives do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, and accounting professional for guidance on such matters.

Visit us at http://www.williamsfa.com. Tommy Williams is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Professional with Williams Financial Advisors, LLC. Securities offered by Registered Representatives through Private Client Services, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory products and services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives through RFG Advisory, a Registered Investment Advisor. RFG Advisory, Williams Financial Advisors, LLC and Private Client Services are unaffiliated entities. Branch office is located at 6425 Youree Drive, Suite 180, Shreveport, LA 71105.

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Has the pandemic changed your outlook? - Shreveport Times

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)

Having just celebrated Thanksgiving here in the US, we are now officially in the Christmas Season, and you know what that means for many folks: tis the Season for comparisons, consumerism, dissatisfaction, and envy! Some snarky cultural commentators have pointed out, America is the only country where we have a national holiday set aside for Thanksgiving and counting our blessings, followed a few hours later by a coast-to-coast shopping spree that sometimes includes people tragically getting shot over parking spaces or trampled outside mall doors. Is this how God wants us to live?

Speaking of the devil and Himself in John 10:10, Jesus said, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. According to Pauls Second Letter to the Corinthians, he warns us not to compare ourselves with others. Over 100 years ago Mark Twain quipped Comparison is the death of joy.

Even today, modern psychology points out that the human trait to compare ourselves with others is highly toxic and corrosive. Observers see this as a special pitfall of todays social media: countless users post carefully-curated images of the perfect vacation, the perfect Christmas tree, the perfectly-dressed and -behaved children, etc. designed to present a false aura of perfection. The result? We scroll through page after page and come away with the impression, Everyone else is happy and has a perfect life, except me. My life stinks. Poor me. Social scientists have discovered that greater exposure to social media correlates to higher incidences of loneliness, isolation, envy and depression.

Is there a better way? The Bible gives us a way out! Someone once wrote, I used to believe things were true because they were in the Bible. Now, I believe things are in the Bible because they are true. If comparing ourselves to others brings feelings of emptiness, then the Bibles command to stop playing the comparison game can help us open the doorway to joy.

Rather than put pressure on yourself to try to live up to some unattainable Hallmark Christmas level of perfection, instead today decide to stop comparing yourself to others and instead live and enjoy the life, relationships, gifts and possessions God has already given you. As motivational speaker Zig Ziglar used to say, The more you thank God for the things you have, the more things youll have to thank God for.

Try it! The new mindset might surprise you!

S.D.

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DEVOTIONAL: Comparison is the Thief of Joy - The Roanoke Star

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Written and verified by the psychologist Valeria213 in 15 November, 2021.

Last update: 15 November, 2021

Maybe you have your own playlist of relaxing music.You turn it on when you need to calm your mind.Music can make us feel so wonderfully peaceful. It producesserotonin to relieve our stress and relieve physical pain. Its always there for us.

And its not a coincidence. Music has a huge impact on our brain, and relaxing music does actually make us feel better. For example, there is a well-known theory though its not yet empirically proven about the good that a frequency of 528 Hz can do to our body.

Its called the Solfeggio frequency, originally used in Gregorian chants. Whether its healing or not, what we do know is that music is capable of making changes in our mind and body. Lets take a look at relaxing music and the mind.

Every three months, the APA (American Psychological Association) publishes a musicology journal with studies on the topic. Many experiments, research studies, and theoretical work has proven things that we had already intuited: music, especially relaxing music, has great cognitive, emotional and neurobiological benefits.

Lets look at some of these positive characteristics:

If we search relaxing music, well get thousands of results. However, does relaxing music actually relieve stress? The answer is yes. In fact, a few years ago, scientists from Mindlab, which specializes in neuroscience experiments, came to an interesting conclusion.

They saidthe song Weightless is the most effective at calming heart rate, respiration and brain activity.Weightless is a song by the British band Marconi Union.

The sound of rain rattling on a window, a flowing river, the tireless crashing of the ocean against a reef, a whales song The sounds of nature have a certain cathartic effect in our body. It is like we go back to where we came from. It focuses us and liberates us at the same time.

Recently the BirdLife Focus Natura project actually showed that relaxing music with nature and animal sounds improves concentration and performance in children with ADHD.

Listening to relaxing music after surgery improves patient recovery. It also makes this critical time a bit more pleasant and less stressful. Its a remarkable finding, but an article in Psychology Todayexplains that relaxing music lessens a persons sensation of pain, produces endorphins, and even strengthens our immune system.

Weve all done it before. We lie down in bed, turn off the lights and immerse ourselves into the peaceful, warm, wonderful world of music. Listening to relaxing music through headphones at night helps us sleep better.It helps us release our worries and those exhausting thoughts that often feed anxiety.

Our brain is passionate about music. We know, for example, that playing an instrument starting early on helps our brain develop and even improves mathematical performance. Relaxing music is almost like a vitamin for our neurons.

It puts us in an optimal mental state for reasoning and tasks involving our spatialtemporal abilities. At the same time theconnection between our two brain hemispheres improves, fostering faster communication between neurons.

We talked before about the benefits of listening to relaxing music after surgery. One reason is thatit is good for ourheart. It lowers our blood pressure and heart rate.Our heartbeat becomes more regular and rhythmic, we have fewer arrhythmias, and we feel calmer.

Two hormones we really like are endorphins and serotonin. They also act as neurotransmitters. Although each of us has our own musical tastes, and sometimes were in the mood for more energetic songs, we cant ignore the benefits that relaxing music has on the brain.

Melodic harmonies, perfect frequencies, and nature sounds trigger the release ofserotonin and endorphin. So find some time in your day to give yourself a dose of musical happiness.

This one may surprise you. Something as simple as listening to relaxing music while we eat can help us eat in a more conscious, balanced and healthy way. It has a lot to do with mindfulness. It helps us eat more slowly and thus recognize sooner when were full. We taste food more intensely and savor the sensations of eating.

Learning to meditate is not easy, especially if your life is nonstop busy.Sometimes when we try to find some relaxation by meditating, it doesnt work.One thing that can help is relaxing music. Just find a quiet space, put on some comfortable clothes and some headphones, and let yourself go

Relaxing music optimizes our cognitive processes.We concentrate and process information better, and retain new information more quickly and efficiently. As we said, our brain loves balanced, harmonic musical stimulation. There are actually frequencies that can help our brain work better.

Try it! Take advantage of the magic of relaxing music the next time you take anexam. Another interesting fact that experts in music psychology tell us is that all it takes is 10 or 15 minutes listening to relaxing music every day for a few weeks to see benefits.

Youll feel an inner calm, manage stress better, and have more focus. Need any more reasons to start listening to relaxing music?

Music Can Change the Structure of Your Brain

Music plays an important role in learning. In fact, musical training stimulates different parts of the brain. Various studies have shown that liste...

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10 Benefits of Listening to Relaxing Music - Exploring ...

Although meditation, yoga and taking naps are effective forms of stress relief, listening to music is one of the easiest ways to get your dopamine flowing. You might have your own personal playlist to calm your nerves, but this one is scientifically-backed.

A study conducted by neuroscientists from Mindlab International recorded participants physiological responses to specific songs while solving complex puzzles. Based on the results, the scientists came up with the 10 most relaxing songs.

Marconi Union is an English ambient music band that worked with sound therapists to create what is known as the most relaxing song in the world. The song actually induced a 65 percent reduction in overall stress among participants.

The reason for this, as explained by Lyz Cooper of the British Academy of Sound Therapy, is that the song utilizes a biomusicological phenomenon called entrainment. Cooper reports, The song contains a sustaining rhythm that starts at 60 beats per minute and gradually slows to around 50. While listening, your heart rate gradually comes to match that beat.

I actually subconsciously sunk into a different headspace while listening. When I paused the video midway, it felt like a trance had been broken. I had to stop and blink a few times to come back to reality.

This relaxing song has similarities to Weightless. The tempo matches the optimal resting heart rate of 60 to 65 beats per minute. The mid-range frequencies and absence of a low, heavy bass is less taxing on the nervous system.

This song definitely has a chiller vibe to it, and it has more of a hip-hop beat, but nothing to the extreme. Yoga fans might find this the perfect background music for their sun salutations.

What makes this song relaxing is the reverb guitar above the ostinato, which is a repetitive musical pattern. The repetition frees the mind to feel the music rather than analyze it.

As the title of the song suggests, the beat is mellow and even a little bit sensual. The rainstick and the conga-like drum conjure visions of sipping something frozen on a tropical island.

Everyone knows Enya from her classic, Only Time, which is an equally relaxing song. Watermark has a simple yet lovely piano arrangement, with a subtle chorus of human voices.

This is the first relaxing song on the list with lyrics, which proves that music does not have to be instrumental to be soothing. It has a slightly higher tempo and does not really promote relaxation so much as a feeling of contentment.

The lyrics themselves contribute to the carefree vibe, and even the video is fun to watch.

Just like in Electra, the second song on this list, Please Dont Go lacks a heavy bass and uses high and mid-range frequencies in the piano and the strings. It is also written in minor key, which is commonly found in sad songs.

The lyrics stir emotion, and the soft, slightly raspy voice makes it sound as if the singer has been crying. You might start crying, too, if you really get absorbed into the song.

This critically acclaimed dream-pop relaxing song has that classic 2000s vibe, seeing as that is the year it was released. The lyrics and the video make me feel like I should also be prancing along the picturesque shoreline of the now-closed beach made famous by Leonardo DiCaprios movie The Beach, which featured this song in its soundtrack.

You can be alert and relaxed at the same time, which is the optimal state according to yoga practitioners. So even though it is uplifting and groovy, Pure Shores for shore deserves a spot on the most relaxing songs list.

This iconic song earned its accolades, which included a Grammy. According to scientists, almost everything about this song is arranged to reduce the audience to tears.

When the chorus breaks, Adeles voice jumps an octave and belts out the notes with increasing volume, a writer from The Daily Mail wrote. At the same time, the harmony shifts and the lyrics become more dramatic. Maybe at first you cannot see why this song is relaxing, but someone who is highly stressed just needs to let it all out with a good cry.

When considering genres of relaxing music, classical most often comes to mind. This song by Mozart is one such example.

Mozarts hallmark mathematical precision, coupled with the angelic female voices, is aurally pleasing. It is light, it is uncomplicated, and it does not ask much of the listener beyond simply enjoying the music.

Although this relaxing song is enough to be added to the list, it is last for a reason. There is no discernible melody, and until the drum track kicks in, it sounds more like noise than music.

However, it is not all bad. The mid-tempo beat invokes images of traveling to far-off exotic lands. It is almost a requirement for an ambient song to incorporate white noise, but because it is effective, we will give it a pass.

While these songs each have distinctive styles, they share common elements such as white noise, low to mid-tempo and simple arrangements. If you find yourself feeling stressed, consider adding a song or two (or maybe all of them!) to your chillout playlist.

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Members of the NMU Jazz Combo, including Owen Edwards soloing on alto saxophone, perform during an NMU jazz concert. A group of five students will perform in the library on Tuesday to provide more relaxing studying music for students.

Katarina Rothhorn, Features Editor November 30, 2021

For the second year in a row, the NMU Jazz Combo will be setting a relaxing tone for the upcoming finals week by performing an hour-long set in the lower level of the library. The five-member student band will be in the library on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. to provide live studying music or calm entertainment for those looking for a study break.

We are performing in the library as a treat to the students who are busy studying for the upcoming finals week, alto saxophonist Owen Edwards said. We know it can be a stressful time and jazz music can often help relieve stress due to its chilled and laid back nature.

Edwards has been a part of the Jazz Combo for over a year along with Ethan Matteson on guitar, Garrett Peacock on tenor saxophone, Ryan Wilson on drums and Oskar Gaenssle on bass.

They will be performing a number of classic jazz standards as well as original pieces written by Edwards and Mark Flaherty, head of the music department. Their selections will be carefully chosen to include more relaxing jazz pieces to not create a distraction for those who are studying.

Im very excited to be able to perform a slightly different style than we normally play, as we play very quiet and calmer music than we normally would, Matteson said. Im also excited to play with this group, as I also have a lot of fun performing with this group.

For those who would like to listen to the band but are unable to attend in person, the library will be livestreaming the event on their Facebook page.

I am looking forward to sharing this music with the students at NMU once again, during a time when everyone is stressed out it always helps to enjoy great live music to help brighten the mood in everyone, Edwards said.

The Jazz Combo hopes their music will help others relax and study before finals, but it also provides the musicians with a similar feeling.

It gives us a chance to bring our music [to those] who arent typically able to listen to it, Matteson said. I personally love doing it to give me some time to relax and reset before the busy finals week.

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NMU Jazz Combo to provide live study music before finals - North Wind Online

New Music

Published on November 30, 2021

Forgetful, Ryan Kanes new song, attempts to delight listeners ears. Since its debut, the song has been a big success. Nobody can believe how big this song has become in such a short period of time. Because everyone who hears the music will hear it.

The present house music scene has gotten a little boring. Every time, the music is the same, with a few minor variations to make it unique. Ryan, on the other hand, is not like the other members of the group. He wishes to stand out from the throng. As a result, he assures his followers that his music is absolutely unique. After listening to Forgetful, we got a feeling of it.

The song Forgetful will undoubtedly liven up the proceedings. When the music starts, everyone is required to get up and dance. This will quickly have the youngsters up and dancing. And the fun didnt stop there; once the song ended, everyone appeared to want it to be played again.

Follow Ryan Kane on Instagram: @ryankkane_

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Ryan Kane's Forgetful Has You Relaxing At The Party All Night - Muzique Magazine

This week in pop music saw some fiery releases despite coming off of a relaxing holiday. Kali Uchis and Ozuna shared a song from a movie soundtrack, DJ Khalid linked with Panamanian singer Sech for a rhythmic single, and Anuel AA released pumped up song about losing love.

Each week, Uproxx rounds up the best new pop releases. Listen up.

Fresh off her Grammy nomination, Kali Uchis and Ozuna teamed up to deliver a song that is honest about this countrys roots. The single is cut from the soundtrack Stephen Spielbergs forthcoming West Side Story film. Throughout the lyrics, Uchis flips the idea of the American dream on its head, singing about mass incarceration and immigration issues.

After some major wins on his 2021 album Khaled Khaled, DJ Khaled returned for a hip-swinging collaboration with Latin Grammy nominee Sech for the new track Borracho. True to the rest of DJ Khaleds catalog, the song is a dance-ready anthem about forgetting your problems and getting drunk for the weekend.

This week, Puerto Rican singer and rapper Anuel AA dropped a song that got real about heartbreak. Llorando En Un Ferrari may feature a thumping beat, but its lyrics reveal that fame and opulence dont keep someone safe from sadness thus hes crying in a Ferrari.

Electronic producer Mura Masa pivoted away from stadium-filling EDM in favor of a more vulnerable love song 2gether. Of course, the song still features gritty synths and resonating bass drops that made him a staple in the scene, but Mura Masa also adds a layer of acoustic guitar and leaves space for his lovelorn lyrics to cut through.

The last we heard from Allie X, she was released her 2020 album Cape God (which featured a great Mitski collaboration as well). Now, the Canadian songwriter drops off a deluxe version of the release which includes several brand-new tracks, including Milk. The new song showcases Allie Xs captivating vocals and metaphor-laden songwriting.

17-year-old rising songwriter Jessie Murph makes a statement with her latest track, Always Been You. The song is a way for Murph to flex her soaring vocal range as her honeyed voice sings of imagining a perfect life with her soul mate.

Breakout bedroom pop singer Morgen fired off an effortlessly catching tune Fine By Me this week. The glistening track features dance-ready production, offers another preview of her debut EP, Unaccompanied Minor, and positions her as a soon-to-be star.

UK singer Liv Dawson dropped the snappy single Dont Let Me Lose You this week as a way of being honest about her shortcomings. The sunny pop tune details how she may be forgetful when it comes to remembering her keys and phone, but she just hopes that she doesnt lose track of something much more important to her her crush.

Russian producer and DJ Nina Kraviz released the atmospheric pop tune This Time inspired by chart-topping music of the 80s. The song leans into a slightly different direction from Kravizs other euphoric, club-ready music and is instead her version of a heart throbbing pop ballad.

After picking up traction after teasing her track Youre Not Harry Styles on her TikTok page, songwriter Dylan has finally released the kiss-off tune. The wildly fun song is a slap in the face to a self-centered ex as she sings of how theyre not as great as they think they are, summed up by the songs title.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

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All The Best New Pop Music From This Week - UPROXX

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Rachel Hauch creates paper snowflakes to hang up as decorations for the write-in on Tuesday and Wednesday. The write-in is designed as a time for students to work on their final papers in a fun and productive environment, but also as a way to inform students about the location of the Writing Center.

Katarina Rothhorn, Features Editor November 30, 2021

As the 2021 Fall Semester comes to a close and professors assign final papers, the Writing Center receives increased traffic and students looking for feedback on their many essays. To help relieve some stress from frantically writing students and provide a fun space for them to work on their projects, the Writing Center is hosting a write-in after hours.

Students are going to need help with exams and sometimes during exams, the Writing Center can be super busy, Lena Ostergren, a tutor in the Writing Center, said. [We wanted] to have an event where people can feel comfortable and if they need to ask quick questions while theyre writing something they can.

The Writing Center Write-In will offer hot chocolate, cookies, games and music for people interested in working on their papers, discussing thesis ideas or just hanging out. The event will start at 6 p.m. and run until 9 p.m. on both Tuesday, Nov. 30 and Wednesday, Dec. 1.

We really just want it to be a welcoming space where students can get projects done. I know sometimes its hard in dorm rooms and even in other public spaces at this time in the semester, Rachel Hauch, assistant director of the Writing Center, said. So we thought itd be fun to invite students to come here to work on those projects, and then hopefully theyll want to come back next semester.

The Writing Center normally allows for drop-in tutoring sessions, but in this last week before finals, they see people on an appointment based schedule only. Making an appointment can be daunting for some students, especially if they have never been to the Writing Center before.

I wanted to just have a space where the Writing Center could be there because sometimes its hard to get the motivation to sign up for an appointment, Ostergren said. I think people will need help and it will be nice to have a comforting environment for that help.

This event is also a way for the Writing Center to improve awareness of their location and services. After COVID-19 forced tutoring appointments to be online, many students were unaware of the Writing Centers presence on campus or simply did not want to put in the effort of editing their paper with another person in a virtual setting.

Now that classes are back in person and the Writing Centers somewhat hidden location in 111G Harden Hall is open, they are hoping to attract more students.

[We are] raising awareness for the location of the Writing Center where its at and letting students know that were here and were here to help, so hopefully next semester, theyll feel more comfortable coming back, Hauch said.

While there will be a few tutors available at the write-in, the goal of the event is not to provide intensive help with students essays. If anyone is looking for more one-on-one assistance with their paper, they can make an appointment by emailing [emailprotected].

The write-in is designed as a comfortable work and hangout space with free snacks and other people to bounce ideas off of or get feedback from.

Its gonna be a super fun event and be very welcoming to anybody, even if you are not even working on writing and just want to come in and sit down and grab some snacks, Ostergren said. You can just talk and chat about different stressors and itll be a good time.

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Writing Center hosts relaxing write-in event to destress - North Wind Online

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November 30, 2021

Jakie Rodriguez

While holiday music and cheer fill the radio waves and shopping malls in the weeks leading to the end of the year, stress and procrastination dominate college campuses. Research papers and group projects that have been distant thoughts all semester have due dates only days away and the familiar, unsettling feeling of anxiety rolls over campuses like thick coastal fog.

Although no substitution for hard work exists, we have techniques that can help make your final weeks of the semester a success.

The first step in making it to winter break is reviewing your syllabi and taking inventory of what assignments you have left to complete. Whether you like to create a digital checklist, a highly detailed entry in your bullet journal, or a collage of post-its, write out all outstanding work and organize by the assigned due date.

Often getting started is the hardest part of accomplishing any looming project. By knowing exactly what you have to do and by when, youre already one step closer to being done. Focus on accomplishing one task at a time rather than the list in its entirety and be sure to treat yourself while you cross assignments off your list.

Everyone can benefit from a little help here and there, especially during the holiday season. Dont be hesitant to speak up or seek the resources that you need.

If youre concerned about an upcoming exam or need additional help in understanding a concept from class, schedule a free tutoring appointment with tutors from the Student Success Center.

If you have anxiety about going back home for the winter break or simply just need to get something off your chest, schedule an appointment with the Counseling Center.

If you need help finding sources for final papers or want another set of eyes on your essay, contact the librarians at Payson Library or schedule an appointment at the Writing Center.

Carve out time from your study schedule to practice some self-care. Whether you make time to be with the people who bring you joy, participate in a Board event, or snuggle in for a relaxing evening of baking and movies, the most important thing is that you do it.

Exercise, sleep, and proper nutrition are also key to self-care but are often overlooked during this time of year. Get some fresh air, go for a walk, and take in the scenery before you head home for break.

Cramming for exams can only accomplish so much; your brain needs rest. Aim to get at least six hours of sleep before final exams or project presentations to help you feel and perform your best.

Remember that finals week is only a small fraction of time in your life. You will make it through, just as you have every other challenge youve faced. Dont be too hard on yourself; youve got this.

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End of the Semester Survival Guide - Seaver Blog | Pepperdine Seaver College - Pepperdine University Newsroom

Mental Health America of Jackson County ALIVE Coalition members include, from left, Kate DuBois, Melanie ONeal, Lin Montgomery, Molly Marshall, Heather VonDielingen and Becky Bujwid.

Elvis Presley sang about having a blue Christmas and actually, its perfectly normal to feel that way.

It can be the over-booked social calendar, deadlines at work, the loss of a loved one, dreary winter days, shopping or other things that make us feel down.

According to the American Psychological Association, 38% of people surveyed said their stress increased during the holiday season, which can lead to physical illness, depression, anxiety and substance misuse. The reasons given: lack of time, financial pressure, gift-giving and family gatherings.

To make matters worse, the National Alliance on Mental Illness reports 64% of individuals living with a mental illness felt that their conditions got worse around the holidays according to mcleanhospital.org

To address mental health and the holidays, a few members of the ALIVE coalition gathered on Monday at the Community Agency Building in Seymour to discuss the topic.

The coalition was formed in the fall of 2018 under the umbrella of Mental Health America of Jackson County. ALIVE stands for awareness, listening, informative, vigilance and engaged. The group typically meets once a month.

The common denominator of the group is the desire to reduce the suicide rate in Jackson County.

Thats what brought them all together, said Melanie ONeal, executive director of Mental Health America of Jackson County.

Besides ONeal, other mmbers include Becky Bujwid with Centerstone; Lin Montgomery, public health coordinator for the Jackson County Health Department; Molly Marshall and Heather VonDielingen with Purdue Extension Jackson County; Emily Sommers, a counselor at Jennings County High School; and Kate DuBois, an assistant principal at Emerson Elementary School.

At our last Zoom meeting, Becky was saying how the holidays can trigger a lot of memories for people and the last year-and-a-half has been so hard on our community and our whole world because of COVID, ONeal said. Theres going to be a lot of families celebrating their first Christmas after either COVID-related deaths or other deaths in their family.

ONeal said just start by reaching out to your circle of family and friends and asking what they are doing this holiday season.

Life gets so busy that sometimes we might not stop and think about someone who is widowed and lives alone and their children are grown or live out of state, ONeal said. Even talking to friends and family about church services that are going on over the holidays is a great way to reach out to meet other people in your community and have some connectiveness.

Around the holidays, people can also feel overwhelmed by everything they need to get done, so ONeal encourages people to dissect their day.

If you are feeling like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders, think about what you need to have done, lets say between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and write it down, she said. Lets get to 1 oclock then we can reassess what you need to do between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., then youre doing baby steps and can check things off on your list to make it feel a little less overwhelming.

She went went on to say, just listening to some relaxing music can be therapeutic, just having it on in the background while you are doing something else can make a difference.

Montgomery said mental health is part of public health and they are there supporting and encouraging people and part of that is emergency preparedness.

If people need a reason to go talk to the lady up the street, we like to encourage neighborhoods to make that link to see if those individuals might need something in an emergency, Montgomery said. Such as a weather emergency, like if theres a lot of snow predicted, do they have heat, food, do they need their drive shoveled or anything else.

Marshall said making our way through a health pandemic, its especially important to take good care of ourselves now and through the holiday season.

The days are getting shorter, so its more of a challenge to get outdoors during the daylight hours, she said. But going out for fresh air is always beneficial, even when its cold out.

With the proper jacket, hat and gloves, you can go outside and take a 10- to 20-minute walk. Afterwards, youll be surprised how good you feel, Marshall said.

When its cold and dark out, its a little more tempting to sit around in the house, but around this time of year, a fun activity would be to park your car, walk around neighborhoods and look at Christmas lights.

She said disconnecting from social media is a good idea sometimes too, because more screen time often leads to us comparing ourselves with others and it takes away from our in person connections.

While taking a break from social media and the internet, take time to read a magazine or a book to see things from another perspectives as a kind of escape, she said.

Bujwid said theres so much pressure to have the perfect Martha Stewart Christmas.

I decided a long time ago that I did not have 50 people that work for me that could do all the decorating in my house and do all of the baking for a perfect Christmas, she said So I decided to just do the best I can and that was a real revelation for me.

Bujwid said she deals with children and families and theres the added pressure of buying gifts and getting the latest games or toys.

Luckily weve got the Shop with a Cop program and the Sertoma Christmas Miracle helping to help ease some of that pressure for the families who are trying to get their kids everything they want, she said. Sometimes families just have to tell the kids they cant afford some of those things, but they can have something else instead.

This time of year can be especially hard for people that live alone and people might not realize that, Bujwid said.

Maybe ask around or think of someone you know who is by themselves that you could ask over and could use some family time, she said. Just that time of togetherness can really mean a lot, just to be included.

For anyone struggling with depression this holiday season or just not quite feeling like yourself, there is a complete list of mental health providers in Jackson County listed on the Mental Health America of Jackson County website, mentalhealthamericajc.net. There are also a variety of mental health screenings that can be accessed through the website.

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Mental health and the holidays - Seymour Tribune