Down in the Dumps? 6 Tips for Dealing with Seasonal Depression

There are many descriptions for depression - feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods. During the fall and winter months, we may experience seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), likely due to the cold weather and lack of sunlight.

No matter what type of depression you have and how severe it is, the following self-care steps can help:

• Get enough sleep.
• Follow a healthy, nutritious diet, and limit the use of alcohol.
• Exercise regularly.
• Get involved in activities that make you happy.
• Consider meditation, tai chi, or other relaxation methods.
• Spend time with family and friends.

People who have had repeated seasonal depression should talk to a mental health care professional about prevention methods. Starting treatment during the fall or early winter, before the symptoms of SAD begin, may be helpful.

For more information on seasonal affective disorder and other forms of depression, visit our Online Health Library.

Join us now on Pinterest!

First Facebook, then Twitter...and now Franciscan Alliance - Northern Indiana has joined the social world known as Pinterest => http://www.pinterest.com/FranciscanNWI.

Join us as we share a collection of health tips and tools, infographics, videos and more. It's just another fun, engaging way to showcase our mission! Happy Pinning!

And remember...you can always:

• Find Us on Facebook: facebook.com/FranciscanNWI
• Follow Us on Twitter: twitter.com/FranciscanNWI
• Watch Us on YouTube: youtube.com/FranciscanNWI

Franciscan Alliance hospitals in Lake County, Indiana, adopt visitor restrictions to prevent flu spread

Franciscan Alliance hospitals in Lake County, Indiana, have adopted temporary visitor restrictions in an effort to help prevent spread of the influenza virus.

The measures, effective at Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point, Franciscan St. Margaret Health- Dyer and Hammond and Franciscan Physicians Hospital in Munster include:

• People exhibiting flu-like symptoms are asked to not come to the hospitals to visit. Symptoms include runny nose, cough, or fever of more than 100 degrees.
• Visitors under age 18 will not be permitted.
• No more than two persons at a time may visit a patient and visiting hours will be strictly enforced.
• Visitors are asked to sanitize their hands before coming into the hospitals and to wash their hands often, especially before entering a patient’s room and upon leaving. Hospitals are equipped with hand sanitizer units, as well.
• Reading materials and toys in many cases have been removed from waiting rooms.

Visitors are thanked for their cooperation to help the hospitals minimize the impact of the virus.

Additional Resources

For more information about the flu, please choose a topic:

• In-Depth Report: Colds and the flu
• Questions to ask your doctor - adult or child
• Influenza Vaccine

Videos

• The Difference Between a Cold and the Flu
• Tips on Buying Cold and Flu Medicine
• What Should I Do If My Child Has the Flu?

New Year, New Start: 9 Tips for a New You

Submitted by Nicky Smith, LMHC with the Employee Assistance Program of Franciscan Alliance - Northwest Indiana

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn, or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude." - Denis Waitley

May this year become a time of new beginnings for you. A time to limit placing conditions on becoming happier. Instead of saying "I will be happy when ..." or "If only I have ... then I will be happy" consider the list below. Choose one or two things that you can do on a regular basis and notice how your view of happiness expands.

1. Visualize the best possible future for yourself and others.
2. Laugh as if you have heard the funniest joke.
3. Donate things you no longer use.
4. Practice forgiveness.
5. Set aside time for one spiritual practice such as prayer, reading the scriptures, or attending church service.
6. Volunteer your time to help others in need.
7. Spend more time nurturing relationships and surround yourself with supportive people.
8. Set limits on time you spend working without breaks.
9. Be generous with compliments to encourage others…and please remember to begin and end each day with gratitude!

A Vote for Women's Health this holiday season

The Festival of Trees at Westfield Southlake Mall is in full swing, and among the entries is Franciscan Alliance’s “Spirit of Women” tree. The public is encouraged to vote for their favorite tree, and the winning nonprofit group will receive a $1,500 donation to the cause of its choice.

If awarded a donation from Westfield Mall, the Franciscan Alliance Foundation will divide the funds equally between St. Clare Health Clinic in Crown Point and Catherine McAuley Clinic in Hammond. Both of these clinics are mission programs of Franciscan Alliance and operate as free primary care clinics to the working uninsured and underinsured throughout Lake County. The money will be used to provide free digital mammograms to women who are deemed financially unable and ineligible for federally funded breast programs, as well as those who are uninsured.

The trees are located in the center court area on the main level. To vote, shoppers can take the escalator up to the Westfield Concierge Desk, located on the upper level by Macy’s, where they’ll find a voting box and ballots. Only one vote per person will be accepted, and the deadline to vote for the tree is Dec. 24.

Staying Connected During the Holiday Season and Beyond

Submitted by Jamie Monday, Clinical Therapist with the Employee Assistance Program of Franciscan Alliance - Northern Indiana Region

You walk into a restaurant and you notice a couple seated near you. And you observe that they really are not enjoying this opportunity to be together, because one is patiently waiting for the other to stop talking or texting on the cell phone.

It’s not that technology is inherently bad. It actually helps us connect with people in many positive ways. However, our electronic communication has become an easy way to escape genuine communication. Our ability to connect easily through the web, social media and through cell phones is causing many of us to forget the importance of conversation in developing strong relationships.

Through our relationships we experience laughter, companionship, teamwork, friendship, stress-relief, support, a sense of belonging, love, the list goes on and on. Investing in our relationships is crucial.

During this holiday season when you are spending time with family and friends practice working on interactions with each other that promote face-to-face communication. Boundaries like the ones below help establish a strong family value: When you’re with someone, that relationship is your priority!

Setting Boundaries for Mobile Technology:

1. No Devices at the dinner table - Dinner time should be reserved for conversation.
2. No phones at restaurants - We all need to find time daily to disconnect from all the information and reconnect with our families. Maybe even leave your cell phones in the car.
3. No texting someone when you’re both at home or in the same room - Don’t laugh it happens all the time!
4. No texting or talking about really important issues over the phone - This should be done face-to-face unless it is something that can’t wait. You can’t fully understand what that person really means unless you hear the tone of voice or see their face and a lot can be taken the wrong way.
5. Regulate use of devices on vacations - Set limits that force the family to interact with each other.

Outpatient Surgery latest to be named Most Valuable Team

Congratulations to Outpatient Surgery for winning Franciscan Physicians Hospital’s Most Valuable Team award!

Outpatient Surgery is a great example of what MVT is all about. The staff in this department have gone above and beyond in their everyday jobs to make FPH a better place. Patients and other staff members alike have been positively affected by the Outpatient Surgery team. From the Friends in Need luncheon to the surprise Founders Circle donation, the employees in Outpatient Surgery have truly pulled together to Make a Difference.

Thank you, Outpatient Surgery. Way to go!