Connect with others on Facebook to beat the holiday blues Published Dec. 6, 2010 By Shari Lopatin TriWest Healthcare Alliance GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Ever wonder why you sometimes feel down during the holiday season? According to Mental Health America, formerly the National Mental Health Association, many factors can cause the "holiday blues": · Stress and/or fatigue · Unrealistic expectations · Financial constraints · Inability to be with one's family or friends That final point can be especially taxing for military families, as the military lifestyle is mobile and sometimes unpredictable. Connect with others on the Facebook discussion TriWest launched a discussion board on its company Facebook page asking visitors how they beat the holiday blues. The discussion gives servicemembers and their families a place to connect and share how they get through their biggest stressors during the holidays. Additionally, behavioral health specialists at TriWest will periodically monitor the discussion and may interject some general advice if the opportunity arises. To join the Facebook discussion: · Log into your personal Facebook account · "Like" TriWest's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/triwest · Click the "discussions" tab toward the top of the page · Click the "holiday blues" discussion and post your thoughts Other holiday coping methods MHA offers some good advice on how to deal with the holiday blues. For one, keep holiday expectations manageable and set realistic goals. Spread out activities and don't concentrate all holiday sentiment on just one day. The organization also suggests doing something for someone else, such a volunteering your time. For those who are financially strapped, enjoy low cost or free activities, such as driving around and looking at Christmas lights, or building snowmen. Most of all, save time for yourself and share the responsibility of entertaining with others. Don't do it all alone.