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Altitude Community Fitness Offered the Following Pool Update on Facebook
The pool company came last Wednesday, Dec 14, and found the location of the leak, in the pipes beneath the boiler room and the hallway. They will be back with a camera to determine exactly where in the pipe the break occurs. That much will be done before Christmas. The actual repairs, which will entail digging beneath the hallway about two feet, then digging in the pool deck down seven-ten feet will not begin until after Christmas. We are hoping for a Grand Reopening on February 28, if all goes well.
As you can imagine, this was not a planned or expected event. It is going to be an expensive repair, unfortunately. What we will have at the end, though, is a newly- refurbished pool! It will be thoroughly cleaned, patched where needed, and a wonderful rubber paint will be applied while the pool is empty.
Unfortunately, the issue with the pool means we will have to postpone the swimming lessons that were to begin on January 17. Beth Ann Zeller will be rescheduling once we know exactly when the pool will be available. To all who have signed up, those registrations will be good for whenever the classes are able to start. We thank you for your understanding!
As you can imagine, this was not a planned or expected event. It is going to be an expensive repair, unfortunately. What we will have at the end, though, is a newly- refurbished pool! It will be thoroughly cleaned, patched where needed, and a wonderful rubber paint will be applied while the pool is empty.
Unfortunately, the issue with the pool means we will have to postpone the swimming lessons that were to begin on January 17. Beth Ann Zeller will be rescheduling once we know exactly when the pool will be available. To all who have signed up, those registrations will be good for whenever the classes are able to start. We thank you for your understanding!
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Coping with the Holiday Blues
Holiday Depression
Responses from Desiree Lipka, LCSW
How do the Holiday Blues or depression generally manifest itself?
There are many different reasons that people become sad during the Holidays. For some it’s because they are not with their families, others it’s because they had negative experiences as a child around the Holidays. There are as many reasons as there are people. I have seen a lot of people isolate during the Holiday season. They are feeling sad and do not want to be around others. An increase in the use of drugs and alcohol is also common. Despite long-held beliefs and often erroneous media coverage, there is solid evidence that the suicide rate in the United States does not spike around the holidays. According to the U.S. Center for Health Statistics, the suicide rate is highest between April and August. The months of November, December, and January actually have the lowest daily suicide rates.
However, low suicides rates don’t necessarily mean that the holiday blues aren't a real phenomenon. While there are no systematic reviews about the increase of mental health problems around the holidays, there are findings from surveys that suggest people feel more stress, anxiety and depression in the period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.
What does research tell us about holiday depression?
One survey by the American Psychological Association uncovered some interesting data about the holiday blues: · While the majority of people in the survey reported feelings of happiness, love, and high spirits over the holidays, those emotions were often accompanied by feelings of fatigue, stress, irritability, bloating, and sadness.
· Thirty-eight percent of people surveyed said their stress level increased during the holiday season. Participants listed the top stressors: lack of time, lack of money, commercialism, the pressures of gift-giving, and family gatherings.
· Surprisingly, 56 percent of respondents reported they experienced the most amount of stress at work. Only 29 percent experienced greater amounts of stress at home. Another poll of more than 1,000 adults by the Principal Financial Group — a global investment company — found that 53 percent of people experience financial stress due to holiday spending, despite the fact more than half set budgets for their holiday spending.
While this data suggests that the holiday blues are a real phenomenon, it's important to note that there are no systematic reviews or randomized controlled trials about mental health problems during the holiday season. The preliminary data indicates that this is a good topic for future research.
It’s important to note there is a difference between the holiday blues, which typically go away when the holiday season ends, and more severe depression, which lasts longer and interferes with activities of daily living. If the holiday season passes and you're still feeling depressed or anxious, it's best to consult with a medical professional.
If a person is already receiving Mental Health services their clinician may want to see the client more frequently during this time to give support.
Depression/seasonal affective disorder are actual diagnoses that are recognized by the mental health community. Holiday blues is not an actual diagnosis in and of itself and will usually pass when the Holidays are over.
Does the condition, whether occasional or acute, affect any particular age group, gender or economic category more?
All mental health disorders cut across all socio-economic/age/race and gender lines.
If a friend or co-worker is exhibiting such a condition, how should a layperson approach it?
If a friend or a co-worker appears to be affected by the Holidays it would be suggested to support that person and listen non-judgmentally to what they are experiencing. Give support and reassurance to the person.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Solvista Health offers Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training which is beneficial in helping individuals become aware of how to support their friends/family/co-workers in times of a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour class that will help a person identify signs of a mental health crisis, help them become more comfortable talking about mental health issues and teach them what resources are available for getting a person in crisis to professional help. For more information about a MHFA course close to you, contact Gwen at Solvista Health, 719-539-6502. 24 Hour Crisis line / Colorado Crisis Services 1-844-493-8255 & Text to TALK to 38255.
Responses from Desiree Lipka, LCSW
How do the Holiday Blues or depression generally manifest itself?
There are many different reasons that people become sad during the Holidays. For some it’s because they are not with their families, others it’s because they had negative experiences as a child around the Holidays. There are as many reasons as there are people. I have seen a lot of people isolate during the Holiday season. They are feeling sad and do not want to be around others. An increase in the use of drugs and alcohol is also common. Despite long-held beliefs and often erroneous media coverage, there is solid evidence that the suicide rate in the United States does not spike around the holidays. According to the U.S. Center for Health Statistics, the suicide rate is highest between April and August. The months of November, December, and January actually have the lowest daily suicide rates.
However, low suicides rates don’t necessarily mean that the holiday blues aren't a real phenomenon. While there are no systematic reviews about the increase of mental health problems around the holidays, there are findings from surveys that suggest people feel more stress, anxiety and depression in the period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.
What does research tell us about holiday depression?
One survey by the American Psychological Association uncovered some interesting data about the holiday blues: · While the majority of people in the survey reported feelings of happiness, love, and high spirits over the holidays, those emotions were often accompanied by feelings of fatigue, stress, irritability, bloating, and sadness.
· Thirty-eight percent of people surveyed said their stress level increased during the holiday season. Participants listed the top stressors: lack of time, lack of money, commercialism, the pressures of gift-giving, and family gatherings.
· Surprisingly, 56 percent of respondents reported they experienced the most amount of stress at work. Only 29 percent experienced greater amounts of stress at home. Another poll of more than 1,000 adults by the Principal Financial Group — a global investment company — found that 53 percent of people experience financial stress due to holiday spending, despite the fact more than half set budgets for their holiday spending.
While this data suggests that the holiday blues are a real phenomenon, it's important to note that there are no systematic reviews or randomized controlled trials about mental health problems during the holiday season. The preliminary data indicates that this is a good topic for future research.
It’s important to note there is a difference between the holiday blues, which typically go away when the holiday season ends, and more severe depression, which lasts longer and interferes with activities of daily living. If the holiday season passes and you're still feeling depressed or anxious, it's best to consult with a medical professional.
If a person is already receiving Mental Health services their clinician may want to see the client more frequently during this time to give support.
Depression/seasonal affective disorder are actual diagnoses that are recognized by the mental health community. Holiday blues is not an actual diagnosis in and of itself and will usually pass when the Holidays are over.
Does the condition, whether occasional or acute, affect any particular age group, gender or economic category more?
All mental health disorders cut across all socio-economic/age/race and gender lines.
If a friend or co-worker is exhibiting such a condition, how should a layperson approach it?
If a friend or a co-worker appears to be affected by the Holidays it would be suggested to support that person and listen non-judgmentally to what they are experiencing. Give support and reassurance to the person.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Solvista Health offers Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training which is beneficial in helping individuals become aware of how to support their friends/family/co-workers in times of a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour class that will help a person identify signs of a mental health crisis, help them become more comfortable talking about mental health issues and teach them what resources are available for getting a person in crisis to professional help. For more information about a MHFA course close to you, contact Gwen at Solvista Health, 719-539-6502. 24 Hour Crisis line / Colorado Crisis Services 1-844-493-8255 & Text to TALK to 38255.
New Year Resolutions Are Not the Answer
It’s that time of year again! The year is coming to an end. Maybe you overindulged over the holidays and are not feeling good about yourself, so it’s time to make a New Year’s resolution. You know, the same resolution you keep making year after year. The one where you say your resolution is to lose weight.
Well, this year is going to be different. This year you are not making a resolution. First off, I don’t believe in resolutions. I think you should try to improve upon yourself every day, not just at the beginning of every year. Second, we are not making resolutions that will go by the wayside in three weeks. We are going to set goals.
So now let’s talk about how to set those goals and what they should be.
Goals should be SMART. Specific, Measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.
Specific:
A goal should be specific. Specific means instead of saying “I want to lose weight” you would say “I want to lose 10 pounds.” Instead of I want to get healthy, break it down..I want to lower my blood pressure, I want to lower my cholesterol, etc. Make it specific, not vague.
Measurable:
It has to have a measurable outcome. You can measure your weight loss on a scale, you can monitor your blood pressure, you can see your blood work results, you can buy smaller size clothing.
Attainable:
Do not say you want to lose 50 pounds in two months, this is not attainable. Don’t give yourself a magic number either. Don’t say you want to weigh 125 pounds if you have never weighed that and are six foot tall. It is not attainable.
Realistic:
Do not set yourself up for failure. You are not going to lose 50 pounds in two months. You are not going to go from a size 14 to a size 6 in a month either. If fitness is your goal, start slow. Slow progress is better than no progress. Start by walking 10 minutes a day. After a week, increase it to 15, then maybe 10 minutes, twice a day. Do not think you are going to start running three miles a day. Not attainable for someone who doesn’t even hit 10,000 steps a day, now.
Timely:
Set timelines. I want to lose 10 pounds by January 31. I want to stop smoking by February 15. I want to give up sugar by March 1. Make your goal a series of small steps. Once you reach your first goal, then set your next. It is easier to stay motivated when you are reaching goals and setting new ones than if you set a huge goal and have a long way off to reach it. If you set your goal to lose 100 pounds and have only lost 15 pounds by March 1, you might get discouraged. If you break that 100 pounds up into intervals, it seems more attainable. See how the mind works?
Are you understanding how to set yourself up for success and not failure?
Sometimes it helps to write goals down. Buy a calendar, post your goals on your fridge, post it to social media, and have it visible to keep yourself accountable and on track! Do it with a friend, a little support or friendly competition never hurt anyone!!
As you reach one goal, set another! If you feel the need to reward yourself for reaching a goal, do it with something other than food. Get your hair done, buy yourself a new tool, just don’t reward yourself with a big piece of cheesecake or other food item. There’s no sense in undoing all of your hard work!
Well, this year is going to be different. This year you are not making a resolution. First off, I don’t believe in resolutions. I think you should try to improve upon yourself every day, not just at the beginning of every year. Second, we are not making resolutions that will go by the wayside in three weeks. We are going to set goals.
So now let’s talk about how to set those goals and what they should be.
Goals should be SMART. Specific, Measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.
Specific:
A goal should be specific. Specific means instead of saying “I want to lose weight” you would say “I want to lose 10 pounds.” Instead of I want to get healthy, break it down..I want to lower my blood pressure, I want to lower my cholesterol, etc. Make it specific, not vague.
Measurable:
It has to have a measurable outcome. You can measure your weight loss on a scale, you can monitor your blood pressure, you can see your blood work results, you can buy smaller size clothing.
Attainable:
Do not say you want to lose 50 pounds in two months, this is not attainable. Don’t give yourself a magic number either. Don’t say you want to weigh 125 pounds if you have never weighed that and are six foot tall. It is not attainable.
Realistic:
Do not set yourself up for failure. You are not going to lose 50 pounds in two months. You are not going to go from a size 14 to a size 6 in a month either. If fitness is your goal, start slow. Slow progress is better than no progress. Start by walking 10 minutes a day. After a week, increase it to 15, then maybe 10 minutes, twice a day. Do not think you are going to start running three miles a day. Not attainable for someone who doesn’t even hit 10,000 steps a day, now.
Timely:
Set timelines. I want to lose 10 pounds by January 31. I want to stop smoking by February 15. I want to give up sugar by March 1. Make your goal a series of small steps. Once you reach your first goal, then set your next. It is easier to stay motivated when you are reaching goals and setting new ones than if you set a huge goal and have a long way off to reach it. If you set your goal to lose 100 pounds and have only lost 15 pounds by March 1, you might get discouraged. If you break that 100 pounds up into intervals, it seems more attainable. See how the mind works?
Are you understanding how to set yourself up for success and not failure?
Sometimes it helps to write goals down. Buy a calendar, post your goals on your fridge, post it to social media, and have it visible to keep yourself accountable and on track! Do it with a friend, a little support or friendly competition never hurt anyone!!
As you reach one goal, set another! If you feel the need to reward yourself for reaching a goal, do it with something other than food. Get your hair done, buy yourself a new tool, just don’t reward yourself with a big piece of cheesecake or other food item. There’s no sense in undoing all of your hard work!
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