While the Christmas period is an exciting time for many, it can also increase stress and anxiety, affecting mental health and making holidays overwhelming.
If you are struggling over the Christmas season, you are far from alone. A survey from YouGov found that 67% of people say that Christmas makes their mental health worse. Another survey from the Mental Health Foundation found that 54% of people were worried about the mental health of someone they know during the Christmas period.
There is also a specific type of depression, known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is particularly prevalent during the winter season. It is known as “winter depression” or “winter blues” and affects a significant number of people in the UK as a result of getting less sunlight.
Why Christmas can affect your mental health?
Society tells us that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. This creates an expectation that everyone should feel happy during this time, which can leave people who struggle feeling isolated. People who already live with mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety may feel guilty for not enjoying the holidays as much as they feel they are supposed to.
Often, we place too many expectations and pressure on ourselves to make Christmas “perfect”. Finding the best gifts for everyone and planning gatherings with family and friends can easily become overwhelming. We want everything to go smoothly when, in reality, at least one thing usually goes wrong, which is completely fine.
Having so many responsibilities and social commitments during Christmas time can make anxiety harder to manage or worsen it overall. Everything often feels more intense at Christmas time, from the loud music and lights to traffic and big crowds. Many people enjoy this, but overstimulation and constant social interaction can increase stress and leave people feeling drained.
Financial struggles are another major factor, especially for university students. Buying presents for loved ones while worrying about paying rent or tuition can be extremely stressful. Many people feel anxious about not being able to afford “good enough” gifts for the people they care about.
On top of all this, the Christmas season often coincides with final exams and deadlines. Trying to balance festive preparations with academic pressure can make this time even more exhausting.
The Role of Nostalgia
As we grow older, many people say that Christmas is “not what it used to be”. I often find myself wishing I could experience Christmas as it was when I was younger. When I talk to my friends, many feel the same. For some reason, Christmas no longer seems as magical as it once did.
This makes people feel nostalgic, which creates an unrealistic expectation of a past reality that we will never be able to return to. The past feels familiar to us, and there is something special about experiencing the holidays for the first time as children.
For some people, this nostalgic feeling makes it almost impossible to enjoy the holidays. They focus so much on the perfect holiday of the past that they forget to enjoy the present. It prevents people from creating new memories with loved ones because they keep dwelling on how different things are now. Focusing too much on the past can worsen mental health, as it often leads to feelings of sadness and disappointment.
The holidays when we were children were different because mostly our parents were the ones creating the magic for us. They hid presents under the tree, told us that Santa had come, invited family members over, and made sure everyone was having a great time. Much of the magic came from people who put effort into making this holiday memorable.
Now, as we are growing up, it’s on us to make holidays feel special. We buy presents for the people we care about and try to make it special for our younger siblings and family members. Perhaps the magic of Christmas didn’t disappear; it grew up with us, and now it is on us to share it with others.
How can we make holidays less stressful?
First, try not to look back on the past years. People tend to look back on what they have achieved and what they haven’t. That can make you feel bad about the year and just add more negative emotions. Especially if you are already struggling with depression, that can make your holiday experience worse.
It is also important to have realistic expectations about the family gathering. We often want everything to go perfectly, but family relationships are complicated, particularly when stress gets in the way. If it feels overwhelming, try to make plans with your friends who you know will make Christmas a more positive experience.
At the same time, as much as it is nice to spend time with your family and friends, if you are struggling with mental health conditions already, it can be hard for you to always be around people. Don’t be scared to say no to some things and spend time doing something that you enjoy.
If you are feeling lonely because you cannot go home and have to spend this Christmas on your own, volunteering can be a great way to connect with other people who can help you feel less isolated.
In general, if you are struggling during this time, that is completely normal. Don’t feel like there is something wrong with you. Taking care of everything while finding time for yourself isn’t easy. Give yourself some grace for all that you are doing and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.
Conclusion
Christmas can bring up many intense emotions, and they are not always positive. However, with understanding and self-compassion, it is possible to make the season easier for yourself. At the end of the day, we can still create moments of warmth and meaning and possibly make Christmas magical once again.
Featured Image credit: Pexels/Cottonbro Studio
First year Journalism student
