Maintaining Your Holiday Balance

The holidays can be a time of joy and fun as families gather together, but for some, the holidays can also be a time of great stress and feelings of depression. People may "play the part" as they go to parties and family gatherings, all the while taking a great toll on their emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. As people, we have an overwhelming need to "hold it together" and this is especially apparent during the holidays. In fact, during January of each year, the Employee Assistance Program Department gets many calls from individuals who are feeling extremely depressed, fatigued or emotionally drained, but don't understand why.   It is because they are spent - physically, emotionally and financially.

The Signs and Symptoms of Depression
• Feelings of sadness or irritability
• Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Changes in weight
• Changes in sleep
• Restlessness/decrease in activity
• Inability to concentrate or remember things
• Feelings of hopelessness or guilt
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Tips on Keeping Your Balance During the Holidays
• Keep expectations manageable
• Let go of the past and keep in mind that life brings changes
• Let each holiday be enjoyed in its own way
• Do something for yourself
• Understand that depression increases with drug and alcohol use
• Spend time with people who are supportive and care about you
• Say "no" sometimes

Emotions are more intense during holidays.   Give yourself permission to feel --   it's O.K. to feel happy or sad, as long as you keep looking towards a healthy future.    Promise to be good to yourself.   Try to open yourself up to others.   Spend time with those who care about you.   Make an investment in yourself this holiday season.   After all, you're worth it!!

If you are experiencing an imbalance in your life, please feel free to contact the Employee Assistance Program for confidential assistance at (954) 797-4755.

The EAP Is Here for You

The District's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is offered as part of your benefits.   It's a confidential service that offers support and assistance to employees, whether or not job performance is being adversely affected.   The EAP operates in both a prevention and intervention mode as it works toward the total wellness of all School Board employees and their School Board insured dependent family members. Behavioral/medical concerns include but are not limited to:

• physical illness
• marital/family distress and conflicts
• emotional problems (e.g., depression)
• stress/anxiety
• bereavement/grief and loss
• eating disorders
• parenting
• interpersonal
• work-related
• medical/pain management
• relationships
• alcohol and/or substance abuse or
dependency
• financial
• abuses

The program's goal is to help those individuals who develop such concerns to:

1. gain a better understanding of the problem
2. learn about the services available
3. choose a plan of action

Employee Assistance Program files are governed by the Federal Regulations on Confidentiality as described in 42 CFR Part 2.   Information can only be released when clients give written consent or when the law requires (e.g. issues of abuse, threats to harm self or others, criminal investigation). The issue of confidentiality is of the highest importance to staff members of the EAP as it allows them to be most effective in providing essential services.

For confidentiality purposes, the District's EAP is located at 4100 S. Hospital Drive, Suite 205, Plantation, FL 33317, and can be reached by phone at (954) 797-4755 or by fax (954) 797-4758. Call between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to access EAP services or schedule an appointment.