Handling Life’s Challenges During the Holidays

by the CCL Mental Health Team, featuring a community conversation with Dr. Bill Hudenko

The holiday season can be joyous – but also sad, stressful, and overwhelming. Most of us are full of anticipation, and it’s a challenge to manage our expectations. Whatever emotions you experience during the holiday season, you’re not alone! There are so many different things competing for our attention this time of year: friends, family, work parties, gift-giving, an abundance of food and drink, holiday gatherings, winter snow and ice, world news, etc. That’s on top of ongoing, everyday life. Even events that should be uplifting, such as holiday parties, can be stressors. With all these triggers compounding on one another, the holiday season can be a lot.

Face the season with a better understanding of the challenges and some ideas about how to cope with stressors and competing priorities.

The CCL Mental Health Team shared a community conversation
with Dr. Bill Hudenko
Wednesday, December 6th

Bill is a clinical psychologist, professor, and consultant who routinely given talks on stress and anxiety reduction. He spoke about the science of stress, and also gave some practical tips on how to reduce stress and anxiety during this busy time of year. Sign up below to join the conversation.

Bill engaged attendees in conversation about having a healthful holiday season. Some key topics were explored: the difference between stress and anxiety, how stress and anxiety can be healthy, and adaptive ways to cope with these feelings. The conversation culminated in a re-frame of happiness. Bill introduced that research supports a need to shift focus from seeking happiness toward seeking wellbeing. Preparing for a healthful holiday season is also a healthful approach to life. View the recording for many more details.

If you would appreciate learning more about “How to Deal with Anxiety”, review this article in Forbes, which includes an interview with Bill Hudenko about his research. (Silva, 2022)

To view the recording please click HERE. In the new tab, click the ► button on the bottom left hand side of the video to play the recording.

If you are looking for opportunities to calm your mind and appreciate the special beauty of the season, here are a few ideas:

  • Walk among more than 70 trees lit and decorated by community members on the Lyme Common. The Utility Club of Lyme’s Tree Festival is December 2nd, 1-4pm, and many trees will remain on the Common in the weeks leading up to Christmas. It’s a beautiful stroll, especially during the evening.
  • Visit – or just sit – in the comfy CommunityCare of Lyme living room. It’s open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 11-1pm and Wednesday 9-11am, and by appointment. Tea with Shelby is a gentle gathering on Friday December 1st at 1:30, and then on Thursdays at 1:30pm. You are always welcome. Call 603-795-0603 or email shelby@cclyme.org with questions or to schedule a time outside of normal hours.
  • Schedule a free Reiki session with Stephanie Carney, Wednesday afternoons in the CommunityCare of Lyme Living Room. Stephanie offers free opportunities to experience this special treatment. Email Stephanie to make an appointment.
  • Join a drop-in mindfulness session by Zoom, on December 20th at at 10am hosted by Dartmouth’s Aging Resource Center. Details and register here.
  • Listen to meditative music with instrumentals in the Lyme Congregational Church. Find some peace in a beautiful space, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, December 19th, 20th and 21st, 5-6:30pm. Call the church at 603-795-2850 for details.

Amidst all the bustle, there is time and space for peace. If you’re having a hard time finding what’s right for you, give us a call. We’d be pleased to hear what you’re seeking and give you some ideas. You may call CommunityCare of Lyme at 603-795-0603 any time. We answer every day.

We wish you time to breathe and to enjoy what’s important to you this holiday season.

Work Cited:

Silva, Lauren. “How to Deal with Anxiety.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 13 Dec. 2022, www.forbes.com/health/mind/how-to-deal-with-anxiety/.

Bill J. Hudenko, Ph.D.
Bill J. Hudenko, Ph.D.Professor, Entrepreneur, Consultant
Bill Hudenko, Ph.D. has significant experience in the fields of both mental health and technology. Dr. Hudenko is a licensed psychologist, a researcher, and a professor who holds a joint appointment as a faculty member at Dartmouth’s Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine. His research focuses on the use of technology to improve mental health delivery and patient outcomes. Dr. Hudenko has broad expertise in clinical psychology with an emphasis in child psychopathology and family systems. He has worked with hundreds of clients and has taught thousands of students during his tenure at Dartmouth, Cornell University, and Ithaca College. Dr. Hudenko is also an experienced entrepreneur and is the former CEO of Trusst Health Inc., Voi Inc. and Incente, LLC -all successful mental health startups designed to transform the delivery of mental healthcare through technology. Dr. Hudenko most recently served as the Global Head of Mental Health for K Health, and he is currently the CEO of Everpage, a tech company dedicated to helping people form meaningful, mentally-healthy relationships.

Dr. Hudenko received his BA from the University of Michigan, his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Vanderbilt University, and his PostDoc from Dartmouth College. He and his family live in Lyme, New Hampshire.

Every Wednesday, CommunityCare of Lyme lifts up a wellness topic, embracing the widest possible definition of individual and community well-being. We include local and national resources, individual and group programs and practices, and personal stories, videos, or songs that have something to teach us all. We are always seeking guest contributors! 

If you have a wellness-themed topic you would like to share or learn more about, please reach out to shelby@cclyme.org

Shelby Wood
Manager of Volunteer Participation
CommunityCare of Lyme
Shelby@cclyme.org
802-468-7776 (cell)
603-795-0603 (CCL office and help line)