We are just days away from one of the biggest holidays of the year, Christmas, marked by celebrations, lights, decorations, Christmas markets, street entertainment, gifts, sweets, and much more… all of which celebrate the magic of this time of year, associated with family, and where joy abounds. However, this is not the case for everyone.
For many people, it's one of their favorite holidays of the year, they feel happy and excited, however, for others, it can be one of the most difficult days of the year, bringing with it feelings of sadness, anguish, nostalgia, longing, loneliness and/or even guilt… Guilt for seeing everyone around them happy and celebrating, and not being able to share the same feeling, but unfortunately, we cannot control our emotions.
Some call this phenomenon "Christmas depression," and it can arise for various reasons, differing from person to person.
These reasons may be due to the fact that: it is a time for reflection on what we have done during the year, since it also follows the New Year's Eve celebrations, and it is when we sometimes realize that this year did not meet our expectations or what we set out to do; it is a time associated with family, which may bring to the surface family traumas and/or sad memories, there may be difficulties in living with family, and longing for loved ones may also arise; economic difficulties may not always allow people to give gifts to those they love most, putting pressure on them and, once again, feelings of guilt and frustration; the person may be going through a difficult time in their life and feels the pressure from society to be happy at this moment, not sharing what they truly feel, which may generate even more sadness and anxiety.
However, it's important to remember that December 25th and 31st (and the days preceding them) will always exist, and to prevent these feelings from persisting year after year and potentially worsening, it's important to understand their origin so that it's possible to work on them. Seeking specialized help, such as from a psychologist, may be necessary.
We also leave you with some suggestions for strategies that can be adopted when these feelings arise in the days to come:
- Share what you feel, talk about your feelings and problems;
- Don't isolate yourself;
- Don't feel pressured to spend these days with family... be with those who make you feel good and where you feel at peace;
- Remember that the best gift you can give is time, so take advantage of it to create memories with those you love.
- If you sense a tense atmosphere (e.g., among family members at Christmas dinner), try changing the subject or leaving the room for a few minutes until things calm down, avoiding impulsive arguments;
- Try to listen to and understand the other person;
- Don't feel obligated to celebrate Christmas – prioritize your mental health and do what makes you feel good;
- Set aside some time each day to do something for yourself (e.g., relaxation exercises; physical exercise; a hobby you enjoy; a relaxing bath; reading a book);
- Avoid excesses (e.g., alcohol);
- Try to get enough sleep to recharge your energy.
Your mental health is more important than any date or holiday of the year. Take care of yourself and seek our psychology services if you feel the need.
Dr. Telma Gomes – Taipas Termal Mental Health and Therapy Unit
