The subject of the Holiday Blues and the Winter Blahs comes up so often that we can find ourselves believing that it is natural and normal to feel depressed during the Christmas season. To some extent, we will all have some holiday stress and our expectations can be set a bit high leading to minor disappointments. But don’t overlook symptoms that could signal real depression.

I was talking to a casual acquaintance the other day and she began to tell me how this year she suddenly has no interest in Christmas. This wouldn’t be unusual except that this has always been her favorite time of year. This year, however, she hasn’t sent Christmas cards, she hasn’t put up a tree, she hasn’t done any decorating or shopping. Further, she began to tell me that she doesn’t want to get out of bed and go to work, she didn’t participate in the holiday events at her office. She doesn’t even want to be home with her husband. The key to all this may be her confession that she is also in the throes of menopause.

Midlife is a time of increased risk of depression for women. Studies show that it is most likely to occur during the onset of menopause and may be associated with the decline in estrogen levels.

Symptoms of depression include:

* depressed mood
* changes in appetite
* decreased interest or pleasure in activities
* change in sleep patterns
* fatigue, or loss of energy
* difficulty concentrating
* restlestness and irritability
* thoughts of suicide

Although some symptoms of menopause may overlap symptoms of depression, if you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor. Recognizing that these symptoms require intervention is the most important step. I managed to extract a promise from my acquaintance that she would, indeed, call her doctor that very day and seek some professional advice.

Here’s a link to a source on depression in midlife, symptoms, treatments and ways to get help.

University of Michigan Depression Center

You know Dasher and Dancer
And Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid
And Donner and Blitzen

But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?

The most famous reindeer of all didn’t even exist until 1939 and more shocking is that when he first arrived on the scene, his name wasn’t Rudolph.

In the 1930’s Montgomery Ward stores had Santa give away coloring books to the children who visited Santa. Executives decided it would save money if they created a Christmas storybook and publish it for the handouts instead.

Robert L. May worked as a copywriter for Montgomery Ward. He was given the task of creating the storybook and he wrote a charming story about a shy, oddball reindeer who didn’t fit in with the rest of the crew. Rollo’s bright red nose made them laugh at him and tease him.

Montgomery Ward executives liked the story, hated the name. They insisted that May find another name for the reindeer; Rollo was too carefree. They weren’t crazy about the second suggestion, Reginald, either.

Finally Robert May came up with a name that pleased the company – Rudolph. In a brilliant move, May asked for the copyright to the story.

Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer was immortalized in a song recorded by Gene Autry in 1949 and has been the star of his own Christmas special.

Robert May continued to work for Montgomery Ward and retired nicely on the royalties earned from Rollo, ahem, I mean Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer.

A Few Thanksgiving Thoughts…

Just a few of my favorite perspectives on the holiday. Have a wonderful day, I hope you all can spend it with family and loved ones.

What we’re really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?
- Erma Bombeck

An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.
–Irv Kupcinet

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
and your pies take the prize,
and may your Thanksgiving dinner
stay off your thighs!
-Unknown

As we approach Thanksgiving and I sit here writing from New England, not far from the site of the first Thanksgiving, I am reminded that another Thanksgiving tradition started here in Massachusetts colony – the Cranberry.

It was in 1816 that Revolutionary War veteran Henry Hall planted the first commercial cranberry beds in Dennis, Massachusetts.

It wouldn’t be a New England Thanksgiving without the cranberry sauce. Some prefer to make a fresh cranberry relish, others don’t mind the canned variety of cranberry sauce or jelly. Family tradition often determines what kind of cranberry sauce you prefer with your feast. I personally like the canned cranberry jelly with the telltale ring imprints molded into it from the can (look, cranberry sauce just like mom used to open).

But cranberries should be more than just a side dish that is overlooked at Thanksgiving. You can make cranberry muffins, cranberry bread, desserts, juice and even string them with popcorn to decorate your Christmas tree.

The cranberry is a healthful fruit that is high in anti-oxidants. Cranberries also contain proanthocyanidins (PACs) that can prevent the adhesion of certain of bacteria, including E. coli, associated with urinary tract infections.

The cranberry comes to the consumer in many forms, sauces and jellies, juice, as well as fresh and dried fruit.

Of course the best way to eat cranberry sauce is on top of turkey and stuffing in a post-feast leftover sandwich.

Check out some other cranberry sources:

The Cranberry Insitute

Ocean Spray Cranberry recipes

National Insitutes of Health – Cranberry