Natalia Naman Temesgen: Discover ways to 'hold onto your chair'

Our toddler has added a new “trick” to her catalog of antics.

She spins until she makes herself dizzy and then exclaims somewhat nervously, “My house is falling!”

The first time she said it, I had to laugh. It seemed she genuinely believed her spinning had caused the house to tip over.

“Hold onto that chair,” I told her. “The house isn’t falling!” 

She did. And she laughed with me, realizing I was right.

As we move deeper into fall, the holidays seem to almost loom ahead. And in this hectic season; it doesn’t take much for a straw to test the strength of our backs.

There is much to be bought, cooked, wrapped and decorated. Families will draw closer, but a spat might break out or a recently lost loved one might be sorely missed. A day of Christmas shopping may begin with a heart full of cheer, but by evening, after long checkout lines and traffic jams, the cheer might be hard to find.

Besides all of the season’s demands, fall also forces us to face the darkness. As the days get shorter, some of us will be affected by SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder. This subtype of depression is triggered by the decrease in sunlight, which can throw off our circadian rhythm and cause dips in serotonin and melatonin levels — chemicals that help to regulate mood and sleep patterns.

With all of the potential potholes of this season, it may soon feel like we are spinning ourselves dizzy. I can imagine myself taking a breath on some hectic afternoons and thinking, “Oh no! My house is falling!” And sometimes with all that’s going on, it really feels that way. But when that feeling comes over me, I’ll remember to hold onto a chair.

What’s my chair? Sometimes it’s a quick workout — a jog or some calisthenics. Sometimes it’s quiet time with calming music and prayer. Sometimes it’s a phone call to a loved one who can help bring things back into perspective. Sometimes it’s literally a chair. Rest may be all I’m forgetting to do.

What’s your chair? If you aren’t sure how to answer that question, spend a little time thinking it over before things get busy. Consider keeping a list of the things that bring you peace and refer to it when you can’t seem to tell up from down.

Locally, consider ways to connect with others rather than recoil in your stress. While keeping it all inside is instinctive, science shows that reaching out to others is much more helpful.

Look into volunteer opportunities with the Salvation Army, Valley Rescue Mission or PAWS — animals can be great mood boosters. Take friends to have a laugh at the Springer Opera House’s upcoming annual production of “A Tuna Christmas.” If you’re bracing for the first holiday season after a loved one has passed, consider attending next month’s free seminar at the Pastoral Institute called “Holiday Hope 2015.”

And once you grab on to your chair, laugh! It is a wonderful season, after all.

Natalia Naman Temesgen is an independent contractor. Contact her at nntemesgen@gmail.com

This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 8:44 PM with the headline "Natalia Naman Temesgen: Discover ways to 'hold onto your chair'."