“I love blues, but not like that…”

The South is known as the home of many forms of music. One form of music that had its origins in the South is “Blues Music.” If you’re a fan of almost any form of American music, it’s likely that “Blues Music” has influenced it in some way.

“The Blues” has a way of pulling out the depth of pains, sorrows, disappointments, fears, and eventual hopes of the performers who have likely lived through some major struggles. The listener often finds their own heart-strings tuning to the music when they identify personal struggles that are related to the musicians’ melodies, rhythms, and cries.

Sometimes, experiencing “the blues” is a part of our lives. Just like the music mentioned before, “the blues” is an internal ache with deep feelings of hurt, sadness, pain, loneliness, and disappointment. It’s natural for a person to feel that from time to time, especially when family and life circumstances hit hard times. One thing we know about “the blues” is that eventually we will begin to see the other colors and get out of “the blues”. That’s the hopeful piece of “the blues”, that we don’t have to stay there.

As the holidays take the forefront of our minds and activities (whether we celebrate them or not), both pleasant memories and unwelcome feelings may come to our minds and hearts. Perhaps we are missing loved ones or feel lonely. Having “the blues” during the holidays is a common occurrence. Research shows that limited outside activities and lessened access to sunlight impact our moods as the weather cools and there are less hours of sunlight during the Fall and Winter months.

What can you do about “The Blues” during the holidays?

Remember that seasons will change and not be gloomy forever (the fact that you’ve lived a long life demonstrates that you have been through many season changes).

Try to get as much sunlight as is safe for you.

Talk to someone about your feelings (healthcare provider, family, friend, therapist).

Exercise a little each day – outdoors, when appropriate, to take advantage of natural light, but inside is OK, too.

Find a way to boost someone else; often, selflessness promotes natural feelings of wellbeing.

“The Blues” are not meant to last forever. Remember that hope of brighter days contained within “blues music” will be a reality for you.

Spencer Blalock, DHA, LCSW, BCD, is a Clinical Specialist with Senior Care – a service of Rush Health Systems.

Reference

Osborn J, Raetz J, Kost A. Seasonal affective disorder, grief reaction, and adjustment disorder. Med Clin North Am. 2014;98:1065-1077. PMID: 25134873 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25134873.

Goldstein, E. (2010). What Everyone Should Know About the Mental Boost from Altruism. Psych Central.

Finding help

If you are a senior adult struggling with anxiety, depression or grief and/or are struggling with coping with daily living, Senior Care can offer help and hope. Call 601-703-4917 for more information or visit www.rushhealthsystems.org/seniorcare.