"Wellness Workbook" from CIGNA to cope with holiday stress

Just in time to kick off the holiday season, CIGNA (NYSE:CI) now offers a free Wellness Workbook, “Coping With Holiday Stress: 10 Keys to Creating Healthy Holidays.” The workbook is available to the public at www.cigna.com.

It’s supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year,” when everyone is filled with the holiday spirit and homes brim with laughter and good cheer. However, the holiday season often brings on feelings of anxiety, guilt and depression commonly known as the “holiday blues.” Even in good years people can feel overwhelmed, but with the economy still struggling and many families coping with financial setbacks, more people than usual might experience the blues this year.

“The holiday blues can affect both men and women of all ages. While these feelings may be intense and unsettling, they’re usually short-lived, lasting for a few days to a few weeks prior to or just after the holidays,” said Dr. Doug Nemecek, senior medical director for CIGNA's behavioral health organization.

According to Nemecek, common symptoms of the holiday blues include headaches and difficulty sleeping. The anxiety and depression associated with the holiday blues can lead to excessive drinking, over-eating, or not eating enough.

“Many people get the holiday blues because they feel driven to make the holidays perfect for their family and friends, and that pressure can lead to disappointment and even depression,” Nemecek says. “But it’s important to understand that not everything can be perfect, even in good years. Perfect holidays only exist in story books and Norman Rockwell paintings.”

Nemecek says there are ways to regain control and have happier, healthier holidays. Exercising regularly, drinking and eating in moderation, and making a realistic plan for the holidays can help overcome the holiday blues. Some employers offer stress management workshops during the holidays or encourage staff to use their employee assistance program (EAP) benefits.

In addition to the Wellness Workbook, CIGNA also offers tips for having healthy and happy holidays.