Avoid Depression! 5 Ways To Avoid "Oppressors" This Christmas (Living)
The festive season is here again! As exciting and beautiful as it sounds, polls show it is often the most stressful and emotional draining moment for a lot of people.
Why? Christmas and new Year festivities are sure to cause tension and anxiety especially among parents as many families grapple with meeting the financial demands it places on them in spite of the current harsh economic climate.
So, how do you avoid this?
1). Prepare ahead. Avoid last minute rush. But items in stages if you can buy them all at once e g. Shoes, clothes, foods, can be shipped in bits. Psychologically prepare yourself and those around you e g. Spouses and children not to have outlandish expectations. Instil in them that it's an annual event and whatever they don't get now, they'll be sure to get it done other time.
2) Spend within your comfortable limit. Set apart what would not increase your stress levels and is within your earnings.
3) Do not compare yourself with more prosperous neighbours. It kills joy, induce bitterness and sets bad examples for your children. If they mock you, laugh loudly in their faces, sing out loud and dance happily!
They are not God. What you have is what you have. If you can't afford live chickens, buy frozen ones. If not, buy fish, tinned mackerel. If you can't do fried rice, salad and exotic dishes, stick with white rice and stew, bread and tea, amala and ewedu. Just be happy!
4) Remain proud, dignified and carry yourself like royalty in whatever you wear in that day or whatever you eat. Just make sure it's clean.
No matter how low it seems, you're better off than someone. Raise your head high, your shoulder back, and carry yourself with the confidence that says you're not where you want but you'll get there!
5) Raise your spirits. Consciously. If there's no power supply and you don't have adequate funds to go out and party, prepare to download your favourite music on to your phone, or USB drive. Sing and dance to it merrily. Celebrate your life, your being alive and in the optimism that things will get better. Trust me, with prayers, it will.
To the oppressors who have more than the average Nigerian, give to the needy, it is the season of sharing.
If you can't, do not mock or degrade those less fortunate to spend lavishly at Christmas like you. They are not less of human beings because of this, and their tomorrow might even surpass yours.
Be kind.
Merry Christmas in advance everyone!
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