The December holidays - Hannukah, Christmas and New Year's - can be brutal for people in depression. Here are some tips to help you cope with family, gifts, parties and yourself.

Here's How:

1. Keep a separate "December" journal, divided in half. Use front for notes of what works well and what problems you encounter. In back keep track of gift purchases and where you stored them.
2. Gifts: Buy on the internet from reputable online stores. Shopping in person is tiring and can be overwhelming. Buy EARLY and use your journal to remember what you bought and where you hid the gifts.
3. Wrap early, or pay for gift wrap. It's generally not too expensive and can save you from the hideous "it's Christmas Eve and nothing's wrapped yet" situation.
4. When gifts are exchanged, note what you received and from whom in the journal to help with "thank you" messages. You may also note which of the gifts you gave were well-received and if any fell flat.
5. Parties and Family: It's okay to say no to parties when necessary! Thank the host warmly for inviting you and just say you're already booked at that time. If you do go, however...
6. If upset, anxious or overwhelmed, escape into the bathroom.A moment to stop reacting can really help. Give yourself time to calm down and even decide whether you want to stay or go on home.
7. And discipline yourself away from alcoholic beverages. They don't mix well with most meds and can be disastrous for bipolar people. Know your limits and stick to them.
8. (From our Forum) My ONE tip is: Don't do what you don't want to do or be with people who are destructive to you. Don't go out of obligation; do what's best for you. (continues below)
9. If you have a very dysfunctional family and being with them is worse than being alone, don't go. Spend Christmas with friends, a pet, or even make dinner for yourself and do something you enjoy.
10. Plan NOT to cook a big meal on Christmas Day. This year we are making a beef stew, which reheats beautifully, on Christmas Eve. On Christmas we'll just add carrots to it and heat it up.
11. Get out in the sun whenever it's available, especially earlier in the day. Light deprivation will add to your depression. A walk in the sun, combining light with exercise, is best of all.
12. Finally - next year, reread the journal early - like August - when you aren't depressed, so you can really plan ahead for the dark days. Then start shopping!

Tips:

1. EXERCISE!
2. GET ENOUGH SLEEP!
3. ASK FOR HELP!

More How To's from your Guide To Bipolar Disorder