My therapist once told me that the holiday season is the one of the busiest periods for her and in the industry in general. Whether you celebrate the holiday or not, it is one of the few holidays that somehow manages to make you feel emotional about family and relationships. For many, it is also the period in which families make the greatest efforts to see each other and because it is also so close to a new year most can’t help but reflect on the closing year and anticipate the new one.
There are also myriad social gatherings and parties to attend, which in turn further magnifies the hype.
I have never really had full-blown holiday blues, but this period always manages to make me feel anxious and that is rooted in all the additional tasks that seem to have to get done for the season. Holiday blues can be caused by several factors such as family gatherings, over commercialization, financial constraints, stress, a detour from a healthy routine, excessive social commitments, being far away from family and friends and if you live in a country that experiences four seasons then definitely a lack of sunlight can influence this.
There might be intense pressure for you to feel joyous during the season and it is necessary to acknowledge how your mood is being influenced and what you can do to improve it.
Family gatherings
If you aren’t usually on good terms with people in your family, one particular day will not magically make everything better. The term family also shouldn’t be restricted to those who you share blood relations with. Redefine what you consider family and try to attend those gatherings with the people you enjoy being around.
Over commercialization and financial constraints
As much as we know it’s one day, there is so much pressure to buy and consume. I personally recycle Christmas décor and add a few new things each year. I find the gift of time to be the most appreciated, for dearest friends at least. One of things I had started to do this year is to spend more on experiences with friends. Gifts will over time lose their value and may not even be used by the receiver. Experiences, however, last forever and reinforce bonds you already have
Dealing with distance
Sometimes our circumstances mean that we are unable to see our loved ones for the season. Try to be proactive about planning your day if these are your circumstances. While is it sometimes difficult to imagine, there are many people going through the same things; this is very much a reality for many people. Volunteer at a local charity or accept the invitation to join a family on Christmas day. There will be many Christmas days, and change is certainly constant, so try to believe it is not the end of the world. Strategise and organise early.
Holiday blues are quite normal, and it is important to understand that there are many influencing factors that make Christmas one of the most complex, emotional seasons. Most importantly, Christmas is meant for everyone to feel happy, so if your plans include anything that affects your mood in a negative way you probably shouldn’t be doing it.
