The holidays are supposed to be the happiest time of the year, and for the majority of people, they are. There’s something about the sight of twinkly lights wrapped around every tree and the sound of Christmas music streaming through every car radio that gets people feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
But not everyone experiences that warm and fuzzy feeling when December rolls around. In fact, many are left feeling the exact opposite. The holiday blues – a heightened state of unhappiness, anxiety, or negativity during the five-week period following Thanksgiving – are a very real and widely documented phenomenon. Although the holidays have the power to bring out the best in us, they also have the power to awaken feelings of sadness or stress that have been building up throughout the year.
There are several contributors to the holiday blues, many of which are completely outside of one’s control. For many, the arrival of winter weather is accompanied by depressive symptoms and increased moodiness. For example, Seasonal Affective Disorder affects millions every year. So if you find yourself feeling less than stellar during the winter months, colder temperatures could be a contributor.
The holiday blues are largely psychological. Stress is a big factor to consider; between get-togethers with friends from home to large-scale family gatherings, your schedule can quickly become overloaded. As busy college students, stress should be something we thrive on. However, whenever we overextend ourselves, we run the risk of mental burnout.
Most of all, the reflective nature of the holiday season is enough to get you feeling down. December is a time to reflect on the months that have just passed. We end the year thinking about the goals we had set for ourselves back in January, and whether or not we succeeded in meeting those goals. We compare our own progress to that of the people around us. We fixate on the shortcomings, the parts of the year that weren’t so great, which leaves us feeling empty and dissatisfied.
Plus, returning to your childhood home for the holidays can stir up feelings of nostalgia. You may find yourself thinking about Christmas mornings during your younger years, how much simpler life was and how much happier you were back then. That feeling alone can be enough to make the holiday season look a lot bluer than it used to.
So, this raises an important question: how can you get out of an end-of-the-year funk? For starters, remember that the holidays only come around once a year. If you happen to find this time of year particularly difficult, remind yourself that it’s only temporary. Don’t obsess over creating perfection or meeting lofty expectations. Focus on what’s important. Let your loved ones know that you’re grateful for them, making others feel good is bound to lift your own spirits.
It’s also important to note that there’s a difference between an ephemeral case of the holiday blues and full-fledged depression. If your symptoms are more serious, or if you know someone who you think may be suffering from depression, make sure to reach out to a parent or physician.
Remember that with the end of this year comes the beginning of a new year, and with that, another opportunity to start fresh. Happy holidays from Her Campus!