First published: patris.gr
We usually think of the holidays as joy and fun, but many people experience blues, sadness, loneliness, depression, and anxiety. These feelings are sometimes referred to as holiday blues or depression. There are ways to prepare for and deal with the increased stress of the holidays. The important thing is to realize that we have more control over our emotions than we think.
Why do we feel this way during the holidays?
This period has certain obligations that lead us to feel stressed, blues, and exhausted. While it is a time of joy, we try to be liked and to please others, which can lead to feelings of pressure.
Many times, the obligation to attend family gatherings is not always pleasant. Many people have bad memories or carry trauma with family members they have to meet during the holiday season.
Unfortunately, social stereotypes force us to be in places we don’t feel comfortable, which triggers negative emotions.
Social media also greatly intensifies emotional disorganization, as it creates unrealistic beliefs. We see other people posting photos of their travels, surrounded by people in happy moments, and we think that everyone is happy, while we have failed.
We should not overlook the fact that the holidays inevitably push us to take stock of the past year and reflect on our choices. Perhaps if we had set some goals for the past year, not achieving them may create feelings of disappointment and failure.
Another quite stressful factor is buying gifts and the expenses that need to be made.
The financial obligations that arise these days are often a serious cause for feelings of anxiety and worry.
Finally, we should not overlook the fact that people who are experiencing a mental health problem are even more vulnerable to holiday depression, with the risk of worsening their condition.
How can we deal with holiday depression?
People who feel negative emotions during the holiday season should understand that regardless of the cause that triggers these emotions, there is a solution to feel better.
Self-care is very important.
We know the importance of a balanced diet, exercise and good sleep. However, because there are so many distractions and stressors at this time of year, we become disoriented from our basic needs.
However, as we approach the holidays, we need to take care of ourselves and ensure that we cover these areas of our lives. It would be good to make sure to find time for a walk, eat right, get enough sleep and avoid alcohol and substance abuse.
It is also very important not to force ourselves to feel in the “holiday spirit”. We should accept our feelings and not feel guilty for not sharing the joy of others. The pressure to be social, happy and present at various events can create stress, and it is good to remind ourselves that we are not the only ones who feel this way.
If we can, it would be good to socialize with people who we feel comfortable with and can express how we feel. We should not underestimate the power and love of our own people.
Often, people want to help, but they do not know what to say or where to start. So let’s make sure to meet with people we feel comfortable with and talk about how we feel.
Finally, if we don’t want to go to certain places, let’s allow ourselves to say no. We shouldn’t feel guilty because we don’t want to go somewhere or because we don’t want to meet certain people.
Let’s give ourselves the right to choose. Let’s do something that will make us more happy, even if that means staying home and having a movie marathon.
Should we see a doctor?
If you’ve been feeling anxious or depressed for more than two weeks, or if the holidays are over and you’re still feeling anxious or depressed, you might want to talk to a health professional.
We should all remember that not everything has to be great to be able to have beautiful moments.
The holidays create a form of pressure, but if we focus on positive emotions and do the things that make us happy, we may be positively surprised and have a great time during this period.