5-Do you ever feel blah at Christmas time, not wanting to decorate, bake or celebrate? Do you ever just want to stay in bed, covering your ears from joyful Carols? I understand, because that is how I felt the year I struggled through breast cancer treatments during the holiday season. I grumped through Thanksgiving, nauseated from chemotherapy treatments. In December, I wanted to stay curled in my bed, not wanting to decorate or make cookies. I felt blah, agreeing with the Scrooge from Christmas Carol, “Bah Humbug.” In ...
5-Do you ever feel blah at Christmas time, not wanting to decorate, bake or celebrate? Do you ever just want to stay in bed, covering your ears from joyful Carols? I understand, because that is how I felt the year I struggled through breast cancer treatments during the holiday season. I grumped through Thanksgiving, nauseated from chemotherapy treatments. In December, I wanted to stay curled in my bed, not wanting to decorate or make cookies. I felt blah, agreeing with the Scrooge from Christmas Carol, “Bah Humbug.” In my case, the brain fog resulted not just from the chemicals bombarding my body, but from focusing on the negative depressive thoughts.
Sometimes what we focus on manifests in our brain and spirit. If we constantly focus on everything that is wrong with our lives, our brain responds by pushing away from the vibrant and creative centers, and hunkers down in survival mode, it. However, scientific studies show that if you focus on gratitude, the brain responds eagerly, lighting up on scans in the creative and innovative parts of our mind, releasing positive hormones that help us to move toward emotional wellness. There are also many Scriptures that remind us to renew our minds, by dwelling on whatever is true, noble right and pure. In this episode, which is the second in the four-part Count Your Blessings series, we will explore the “I” of Gift, how Gratitude inspires Your Mind. Come on in and join me for today’s episode of “Feeling Blah from Holiday Brain Fog? How Gratitude Inspires Your Mind to Reset Depression.”
Contact by Email: beth@healdepressionwithgod.com
If you have enjoyed this podcast, please consider sending it to a friend, so they can move toward mental wellness. Also, I so much enjoy hearing from listeners. Could you please write a review on Apple Itunes? Your review helps get the word out about the podcast, which helps people heal and find hope for mental health.
Link to Part 1 of Count Your Blessings Series: Part 1 How the Gift of Gratitude Grows Goodness in our Hearts
https://mentallywellwithbethsteigerwalt.podbean.com/e/count-your-blessings-four-ways-the-gift-of-gratitute-boosts-mental-wellness-beyond-thanksgiving-day/
Books referenced in this four-part series:
Dr. Robert A Emmons, The Little Book of Gratitude: Create a Life of Happiness and Wellbeing by Giving Thanks
Dr. Robert A Emmons, Thanks, How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier
Scriptures used in this podcast:
Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Eph 4:22-24 “to put off your old self,[a] which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Psalm 139: 7-10 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
Journaling Questions: 1. What are three things you know to be true about God’s Character?
- What does it mean to you, that God is Immanuel, God with us?
- What are some positive memories of the holidays?
- Name two ways why you appreciate your family.
Count Your Blessings Hymn Lyrics, Public Domain.
Lyrics by Johnson Oatman Jr. (1856-1926); Music by Edwin Othello Excell (1851-1921)
Accessed through https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/707, who freely shares hymn information.
Intro, outro, and trailer music “Bright as the Dawn” is licensed by Taizo Audio through Premium Beat by Shutterstock. #6193805
Disclaimer: I am not a licensed professional therapist, and unable to diagnose, treat or analyze depression or other associated mental illnesses. Based on Biblical principles, my personal experience of healing, and creative expression, I offer these Christ-centered mental wellness strategies to support, encourage and instill hope through your journey to mental and spiritual health. Please see your doctor, psychologist, or professional therapist for help with diagnosing and treating mental illness. If you are severely depressed, to the point where you are considering suicide, please get help immediately! Your life matters, and you are loved and valued. It is possible to find hope and healing.
Here are some resources to help you.
Christians in Crisis https://www.christiansncrisis.com phone or text 1-844-472-9687 Started by Marriage/ Family Therapist Dr. Cheryll Holmes, this faith-based hotline offers a listening ear and counsel for severe depression and other mental illness issues.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988 for emotional support through depression/Suicide.
If you have enjoyed this podcast, could you please send it to a friend, so they can discover healing in their journey to mental wellness? Also, please consider writing a review on Apple/iTunes. These reviews help spread the word about Heal Depression with God Podcast, so other people can rise above depression and begin to thrive in mentally-well health, like the sun ascending and reflecting on majestic mountains, a new day dawning.
