GOOD MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE HOLIDAYS DISCUSSED AT SENIOR-WISE

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               (Casper, WY) -- To borrow a phrase from a popular song, for most of us the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. But it can also be a time of great stress and even loneliness and that's why good mental health is so important this time of year. That was the message from Kelly Shipley of the Central Wyoming Counseling Center during her presentation at Senior-Wise at the Casper Senior Center. "We have many demands on our time during the holidays," she said, "with shopping and family gatherings and holiday programs. But for some people the holidays are stressful because they don't have family around and they feel lonely -- and that can be just as bad."

                She encouraged seniors to recognize what's really important to them personally. "You're a grown-up," she chuckled, "and so you get to choose what to do. But determining how to make good choices -- that's the tricky part." She said if buying presents is important to you and you stay in your budget, then go for it. But she said it's also okay to say no.

                She also cautioned that it's easy to give in to the demands of others and not take care of yourself. "Self care is the key," she noted. "Set limits, make a plan, and do what's important to you personally. Set a budget for buying presents and entertaining and remember how important it is to exercise and eat well." She noted that it can be difficult to eat a healthy diet during this time of year because the served food at holiday parties -- even though it's delicious -- frequently is not nutritionally sound.

                For those who have recently lost loved ones she said it's perfectly all right to be sad and shed some tears. "But please remember," she encouraged, "that it's okay to have fun, too, even if that special person is no longer with you."

                If you'd like professional help with stress or grief during the holidays, she noted that the Central Wyoming Counseling Center is open for walk-in visits Monday through Friday from 9am until 2pm. Fees are on a sliding scale based on income. "Someone will be there to see you if you walk-in and need to talk," she said.

                Senior-Wise is an information and discussion program held Tuesdays at 12:30 at the Casper Senior Center.