Keep the Grinch Out – 10 Tips How to Ward Off the Christmas Season Blues

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The love for food and the passion for cooking have uprooted us from our countries and families and took us to countries far away from our homes.  It is not surprising to see Western chefs working in Asian countries, and Asian chefs studying and working in Western countries.

The distance sometimes takes a toll on us that we are hit by homesickness, and it is usually during the Christmas holiday season that homesickness hits the hardest.  The “Grinch” rears its ugly head, and we suffer the holiday blues.

The Holiday Blues

Because Christmas season has always been associated with family gatherings and celebrations, it becomes hard for us to think that we are going to spend it away from our loved ones.  Lucky for those who are in their own countries, or those who have their families with them, or those who will be coming home to celebrate Christmas season at home, but what about those chefs who are not only spending Christmas season away from home but are also going to spend it on their own and cooking for other people as well?  How can they ward off the holiday blues and at least have a merry Christmas?

Warding Off the Holiday Blues?

Loneliness can sometimes be catchy, and the “Grinch” in us will always look for company, someone that it can “infect” with the holiday blues.  Now, because most of us will be working during Christmas day, it will not do the rest of the kitchen staff any good to be working with a grumpy chef.  It is the season to be jolly, after all, so we need not let our holiday blues affect our relationships with the staff.

For this reason, here are some simple ways on how we can ward off the Christmas season blues.

1. Do not long too much for what we cannot have at the moment, like the desire to be with our loved ones.  Instead, we should give our attention to the present, not the past, and with a little positive attitude, we can enjoy what can be enjoyed right now.  Trust me, a little positive thinking will go a long way to battling frustration and loneliness.
2. Some of us may or may not be working on Christmas day, but what is important is that we temper our hopes.  We should set realistic goals and work at a very reasonable pace and schedule.  It will not do us a lot of good to try to accomplish so much in so little time or expect too much and become frustrated when things do not go our way.  Doing so will bring nothing but exhaustion and crankiness.
3. Going to parties and get-togethers is also a good way of keeping our inner “Grinch” out; however, drinking a lot of alcoholic beverages in these occasions will not do our holiday blues any good.  Instead, we should limit our alcoholic intake because alcohol acts as a depressant and will not do our mood any good.
4. There will be lots of foods at parties; however, this is not an excuse to eat just about anything that we want.  We should still stick with a healthy diet and make sure that we are eating the right types of food.  Indulging in so much meats and sweets can make us feel guilty at the end of the day, intensifying our “Grinch” feelings.
5. Exercise is a very good way of eliminating any feelings of frustrations and loneliness.  Not only does it increase endorphin production, a “happy” hormone, but it will also keep us fit and alert yet relaxed at the same time.
6. What better way to feel at home than by decorating our homes with some festive decorations and lights?  Just because we are far from home does not mean that we cannot enjoy Christmas the way we used to enjoy it.  Play some Christmas songs to really lighten up the mood.
7. Go out with friends for a cup or two if we feel that the “Grinch” is struggling to get out.  A good conversation and a relaxing time with friends will also help us in warding the holiday blues off.
8. Count the blessings that were given to us, instead of counting what was not ours.  Nothing can put us into depression more than focusing on what-could-have-beens.
9. For some of us who were lucky enough to be with loved ones for the holiday season, be sure to spend a lot of time with them.
10. Lastly, for some of us who were unlucky enough to be far from our loved ones, be sure to give them a call or write them a letter.  Nothing can lift the heart better and put a smile on our faces than the voices of our loved ones.

The choice to let the “Grinch” out and ruin our holiday season is in our hands.  We can either let loneliness get to us or do something proactive to ward it off.  But since this is the time for giving, why not give a little cheer and a merry little Christmas to everybody else?

Do you have any tips that you would like to share?

Image Credit: en.fotolia.com

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