Christmas, the most anticipated time of the year and cherished by many, represents togetherness, togetherness, sharing gifts, joy, and quality time with those we love most.
However, the Christmas season can also be a difficult time for many, generating feelings of sadness, loneliness, anxiety, and overwhelm, among others.
During this time of year, there are several factors that can cause us anxiety at Christmas... and what are they?
The first, perhaps the one we all experience, is having empty chairs at the table, either because loved ones have passed away or are unable to attend due to illnesses. It's important to acknowledge our feelings and emotions in this situation and remember that memories are the most important, because those are what will always last.
At this time of year, many people are either without family or living in another country. You can spend these holidays with a neighbor or a close friend because, after all… family has nothing to do with blood ties, but rather with love and the relationships that people build throughout the year.
There are also cases where people have no memories of Christmas or are simply not in the healthiest position to recall it. Therefore, the ideal would be to create your own Christmas, in a different environment and surrounded by other people who make you feel good.
Regarding financial matters, they end up influencing people, generating feelings of stress and anxiety due to the number of gifts they will have to buy, and it is known that, in today's times, it is not always easy to invest in high-value gifts. It is essential to realize that Christmas is not about buying and giving gifts, but rather, being present will always be the best gift of all.
How many of us create expectations about what we're going to receive? ("I bet I'll get that; I've been talking about it all year, they can't give me anything else"; "They know I like that, so I'll get it"). All these expectations, in some cases, end up generating disappointment. Therefore, it's essential not to create expectations about what you're going to receive; it's best to give gifts and treats to yourself.
And last but not least, the family environment we experience, sometimes with inappropriate and inconvenient comments we hear about our appearance, school/work life, or love life, is a source of great anxiety. Remember that such comments are just someone else's words, they don't define us, so it's important to value ourselves, and it's not mandatory to please everyone.
Don't let the magic of Christmas fade away within you, live it your way!
Merry Christmas!
Dr. Mariana Silva – Taipas Termal Mental Health and Therapy Unit
