The holidays are thought of as times of celebration, enjoyment, and thankfulness. Reunions with friends and families create an air of nostalgia and remind many of fond memories from their pasts. However, not all share the same feelings of positivity and joy during this time of the year.
The “holiday blues” is a commonly reported disposition where people feel down, anxious, stressed, and lonely during the holiday season. Increased financial spending, greater social activity, and more responsibilities can all contribute to a rise in stress levels. The lack of social events, celebrations, and friends and family during this time can cause others to experience loneliness and isolation. Here are some things to look out for to understand and maintain healthy mental wellbeing during the holidays:
High Expectations
Many people enter the holidays season with overly ambitious expectations—the idea of spending time with loved ones and celebrating joyful holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years may create an inaccurate perception of everything being perfect. When things do not go as planned, the stress, anxiety, and fear build up. Social media plays an increasingly important role in this issue—holiday-themed Instagram pictures and party updates on Snapchat paint a picture of pure enjoyment and never-ending social interactions. Reality, however, is never so polished. These intentionally-constructed, filtered images can contribute to a false expectation that everyone is happy during the holidays. Make note if you are forcing yourself to be happy—be conscious of any unrealistic expectations, restrain yourself from comparisons or “FOMO,” and enjoy the holidays for what they turn out to be for you.
Budget Properly
Holidays can be expensive. Buying presents, traveling, cooking, going on vacation, taking time off work—there are many activities that lead to increased spending during the holidays. Sometimes, these financial changes aren’t accounted for, and many find themselves facing an unexpected growth in financial burden during this time. Make sure you budget wisely during the holidays—while some might expect you to purchase gifts or throw a holiday party for them, understand your financial position and make realistic decisions. It is perfectly okay to say no to something not financially feasible.
Find your community
Due to the increase in events during the holidays, you may find yourself in some uncomfortable social environments. Certain social groups may arouse memories associated with negative events or emotions. Knowing how you feel and respond to different communities can be beneficial when picking plans and deciding which events to skip. Some potentially triggering events, however, might be required—to best manage your wellbeing during these times, look for opportunities to sit alone for a bit, text a friend, or steer away from people who may be emotional triggers. Navigating these situations may take some effort, but staying aware of your emotions can help make them less stressful.
In addition to avoiding unfavorable social interactions, the holidays might be a good time to find a community that brings a sense of positivity and comfort. This might involve finding a group of people with common interests on social media, signing up for a new type of activity to meet others, or simply contacting past friends or relatives. These communities can serve as safe-spaces when needed and can help you cope with many unwanted emotions that arise from elsewhere.
Give Back!
The holidays are known to be a time of giving back—and there might actually be some personal benefit in doing so. A study published in Nature found that the act of making generous decisions is correlated with increased happiness, suggesting that being generous may induce feelings of joy. If you feel boredom or a lack of energy during the holidays, try volunteering at a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or special community events for those in need. These activities may help boost a sense of purpose, satisfaction, and happiness. In turn, your act of generosity will not only be helping yourself, but it will also be valued by others who experience isolation and loneliness during the holiday season.
Holidays are different for everyone. There is no right or wrong emotion during this time – everyone shares a different set of experiences and memories that impact how they feel. As we continue the holiday celebrations, be conscious of your mental health and understand your triggers. These tips hopefully provide some guidance for those who need help. However, this is by no means an exhaustive list, nor should it be treated as a mental health consult. If you find yourself in need of support, please do not hesitate to contact a professional.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any audio & visual content in this essay except for the editing. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNERS. No copyright infringement intended.
Written By: Padma
Edit By: Caitlin
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