The holiday season can be an emotional roller coaster. For most of us, it brings happiness and joy to be around family and friends during the Christmas season. For others, it can bring anxiety and sadness about
the amount of preparation and shopping we must do before all our loved ones gather together. Although some people have a better handle on their anxieties on vacation, others find it difficult to deal with such stress, frustration and sadness. My purpose in writing this blog is to present the reasons why some of us may become angry during the holidays, as well as some tips on how to manage our emotions when they become too overwhelming.
Why do we get depressed during the holidays?
According to the American Psychological Association, 38% of people surveyed said their stress increased during the holidays, which can lead to specific problems such as physical illness, anxiety, depression, etc. 64% of people with pre-existing mental health problems say their mental health worsens during the holidays. So why does this natural phenomenon occur during the Christmas season? The answer is very complex since there is no single factor that explains why people may experience sadness during the holidays. One of these factors includes the amount of pressure someone experiences due to all the responsibilities they have; a person needs to do all the shopping, prepare family meals, prepare the house for guests, etc. TAll of these responsibilities plus the responsibilities we already have in our daily lives equals feeling pressured and stressed and this can lead us to feel depressed.. Other factors that can affect our mood during the holidays include:
● Pressures of perceived obligations
● Financial stress
● High expectations of a “perfect” family reunion
● Travel stress
● Stressful family gatherings
● First holiday season without a loved one due to death
● Loneliness
● Disappointment at not seeing family or friends.
● Pandemic isolation
● Family conflict
Signs or Symptoms of the Holiday Blues If any of you are expressing any of these symptoms in the last two weeks, don't hesitate to talk to your primary care doctor so he or she can refer you to a mental health specialist to manage these symptoms:
● Tiredness or lack of energy
● You no longer enjoy activities you used to enjoy
● Persistent feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness.
● Change in personal relationships
● Change in sleep patterns
● Change in appetite and weight gain/loss
● Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
● Difficulty working and completing tasks.
● Irritability
● Self-harm
How to get over the Christmas blues People vary in their coping mechanisms during the holidays. For some, they can manage their anxiety by breaking tasks into smaller chunks to better handle holiday obligations; others may self-medicate by taking substances. The first step in managing these emotions is to recognize that what you feel is okay and normal. Depression and anxiety do not have a specific onset time, so it is important to monitor your feelings and thoughts every day to manage these emotions. Other helpful reminders that help ease your situation may include:
● Reach out to friends, family, your community
● Be realistic about Christmas traditions. Create new traditions
● Put aside family differences. If the differences are
too large, seek mental health services that can help treat the family.
● Create a budget if finances are tight
● Plan ahead
● Learn to say ‘No’; to tasks/activities that drain your energy
● Stick to healthy habits (e.g., healthy meals, good night's sleep, avoid substances)
● Take a break (for example, go for a walk, stargaze, meditate)
● Seek professional help if any of the above symptoms worsen after 2 weeks.
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ABOUT
GISELLE SAAVEDRA – M.S., LPC Associate
My goal as a therapist is to help you find solutions to your situations that have caused you stress and mental pain. I believe that you are the expert in your life who has the solutions within yourself, but you need help to get those solutions out and put them into action.
