Christmas Blues: The “most wonderful” or rather depressing time of the year

Christmas is around the corner and people all over the world are getting in the holiday spirit. Soon, there will be decorated Christmas trees and twinkling lights in houses all around. If you’re not feeling the holiday spirit yet (and probably won’t), know that you’re not alone:

Christmas for many people is far from the most wonderful time of the year. Many people dread the agonizing loneliness and would just like to stay in bed for the entire season. However, this is not the best way to cope with those complex feelings.

Keep reading to find out what you can do against those holiday blues.

Know that you’re not alone

If you recognize yourself in the introduction above, chances are that you’ve experienced holiday depression. The cold winter weather and lack of sunlight are already hard to cope with, and now you have to deal with dreadful holiday parties and family dinners, while you’d rather stay in bed watching a Christmas movie. Just know that you’re not alone in this.

Many people experience temporary holiday depression. Holiday depression is often caused by an unrealistic idea of what the holidays should look like. Families in the movies are always smiling and happy, sharing presents while lovingly gazing into each other’s eyes. This is simply not reality and you should never compare your own situation with what you see in the movies. Instead, many people experience loneliness, anxiety, and depression.

In the Christian faith, Christmas is a wonderful holiday on which the birth of the savior and the beginning of God’s plan is celebrated. For most Christians, this time is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, filled with peace, love, and joy. Christians organize holiday festivities such as potlucks, which offer room for you to go to and meet new people.

The Christian spirit of loving and taking care of those around you can be quite helpful to make new friends. Would you like to know more about the holiday spirit and mental health from a Christian perspective? Here’s a good blog for Christians’ mental health.

Try to find family or friends to spend the holidays with. Don’t feel like you’re imposing, but instead just give it a try. Nobody wants their family to feel alone during these seasons and who knows: Maybe you’ll be able to make family bonds stronger and start a new holiday tradition.

Everything on the Internet is most likely fake

Christmas is the time of family gatherings and holiday parties. Instagram will be flooded with all the great festivities that people are taking part in: from school activities to office parties. However, know that what you see on the Internet does not reflect the true feelings that people might be having.

Those smiling people that you see on Instagram, might be stuck in a party they were obligated to go to or spending time with family that they don’t even know so well. Remember that not everyone is having the perfect holiday, even if it seems so.

It is normal that seeing other people have fun gives you a great feeling of FOMO (fear of missing out), but knowing that not everything you see is real, might help you to cope with these feelings. The best thing to do is to stay off social media for a while. Instagram even has a mute function, with which you can mute certain people temporarily so that you don’t have to get hurt every time you see people having the time of their lives during the holidays.

Take a mental break whenever you need it

If you do get invited to festivities, but you’re not feeling like participating, it’s okay to say no. Just do it tactfully or try to suggest someone else that would like to go. In that way, you get to give yourself a mental break, while nobody’s feelings get hurt. A mental break is good for your brain, as it can relax and leave the bad feelings behind for a while.

Going to a party you don’t want to go to, might sound like a good idea to at least show that you’re not alone. This is actually the opposite of what you should do. If you pretend to be happy and start to overcompensate by posting on social media and faking a bright smile, the happiness doesn’t feel real and leaves you unsatisfied and unhappy.

If you really can’t get out of the party, try to stay as short as possible and make a good plan for the evening. Identify things and people that drain your energy and make you feel sad. Try to avoid those and stay with people who do give you energy. Make sure to take a bathroom break now and then, even if you don’t have to go.

Being by yourself for a minute can help you to charge your energy and keep you going just a little longer. If you’re really struggling with your mental health, try calling a friend or scheduling an online appointment with amental health professional. Getting things off your chest might give you a sense of release as well.

Take your mind off things

Christmas is a good time to explore new hobbies. If you’ve always wanted to try pottery, embroidering, or knitting: Now is your chance. Treat yourself by buying some supplies and pack the days full of new experiences. This is also a good time to start doing sports such as running, hiking, or going to the gym. Sports help you to increase your energy and boost your self-confidence: A good feeling you can use if you’re experiencing holiday blues.

Another great thing to do during the holidays is volunteer work. Around Christmas, many volunteering jobs are offered and it can be a great activity to get your mind off your own feelings. Making others feel great can increase your own happiness as well and it’s a good opportunity to find like-minded people. Try working in a soup kitchen or at the salvation army: your help is always needed.