Christmas Blues: Recognizing and Fighting the Holiday Blues
By Naturale Bio
Decorating the tree, the colored lights, the Christmas carols, seeing friends and relatives again: this time of year for some is a real daydream but for many it can be tiring and melancholic. Let's talk about the Christmas Blues .
What is the Christmas Blues and why does it affect us?
The causes that psychologists around the world have identified for the so-called "Christmas depression" are different. The latter is compared to a typical "seasonal" syndrome, such as mood swings during seasonal changes , precisely.
The contrast between a period that almost everyone considers festive and full of joy may seem strange, but the reality is that many are experiencing it with difficulty.
Try to think about those who are alone or live in a complex family situation : the constant storytelling of tables full of relatives and friends can only exacerbate a problem, a lack, a loneliness.
Or to all those who live a lot far from their loved ones , for work or necessity, or to those forced into a long hospital stay or to face health problems that take away any desire to celebrate. This aspect has been exacerbated due to the pandemic and the limitations on travel, especially last winter.
People too less well-off they could live with great difficulty these days of purchases. Not having the opportunity to buy a nice gift for their children, for example, can be a great suffering for a parent.
Finally, all those who suffer from eating disorders And they don't have a good relationship with food , they could experience the "excesses" of the holidays with anxiety and discomfort.
Then there are those who, more simply, associate Christmas with the end of the year and, therefore, with a time to take stock , perhaps finding yourself thinking that you haven't achieved your goals or aren't living a satisfying life.
And then there are the Grinches, the slightly cynical ones, who don't like the idea that you have to have fun because it's Christmas or that you necessarily have to be nicer.
How to Fight the Holiday Blues
Recovering the true meaning of Christmas can be a good way to combat the Christmas Blues.
If you are alone, seek contact with others : call that friend or relative you argued with, was it really that important? Or seek support from the many volunteer associations committed to fighting this great evil of our time which is loneliness.
Or simply try to enjoy the time you have for yourself : dedicate yourself to the sport you love, prepare your favorite dish, don't give up decorating the house if it makes you feel happy: the fact of spending Christmas alone doesn't mean you can't celebrate it anyway!
Or, if the distance from your loved ones is only physical, be resourceful and use technology : a video call and a nice remote toast can make you feel closer than you think!
Don't stress yourself by comparing on social media with other people's Christmas , with other people's Christmas shopping. Maybe many will show tables set, poses of celebrating relatives and friends and dozens of gift packages... but you only need to be a few and give yourself your time and your smile, to be happy.
Don't overdo it with food, don't set the table with more than you can consume: avoiding waste is good for the planet and also for our soul. But if you want to enjoy a delicacy that you normally wouldn't allow yourself, do it! Without feelings of guilt that really make no sense.
If you can, donate your time by volunteering, or turning those less “heartfelt” gifts that would otherwise be proverbial junk into charitable donations.
Ultimately, the true meaning of Christmas is this: sharing, being there for those we love, living a moment of peace and trying to give, rather than receive.
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