Christmas is coming soon, and 2022 is almost over.
Christmas is one of the biggest holidays around the world, which is one good way to gather around with family, friends, and people you love and give gratitude to, and reflect on the year. Greeting a new year seems exciting and lively. People often regard Christmas as one romantic day before the new year and one last holiday before the new year. But only some feel happy about Christmas and the new year. The fact that a year is closing down and a new year is coming can be overwhelming and scary, with the oncoming regret of the previous year.
In this article, I would like to introduce ‘holiday blues’ and its symptoms, and the suggestions for how to deal with it during Christmas. Furthermore, also share on what is vital for an excellent mentality to start the new year of 2023?
What is holiday blue, and why is Christmas important for preventing holiday blues?
Holiday blues is one of the many mental depression which is temporary during the holiday season. One simple reason might be that the existence of holidays may give pressure because of the high expectations of a good, joyful holiday. Therefore, preparing for the holiday might be tiring and overwhelming. Also, the fact that holiday blues are usually found during winter seasons like November and December, reflecting on memories of the year and the feeling of losing loved ones after spending a year, is one major indicator of holiday blues. Therefore, holidays during winter, especially spending a lovely Christmas, are really important for a good mentality to start a new year.
Symptoms of holiday blue during Christmas
The symptoms of holiday blues are feelings of sadness and depression with the emotions of guilt and uselessness. Coping with this temporary depression is essential as this can lead to changes in eating and sleep patterns, which can also affect general health. Therefore, dealing with holiday blues during Christmas is vital for the new year’s fresh start, as one irregular pattern can create more guilty feelings at the beginning of the new year.
Three Suggestions on how to spend Christmas
Here are three suggestions on how to cope with mental depression during Christmas and the greetings of 2023.
- Avoid spending too much time on social media; stop comparing yourself to others.
Holiday blue comes from complex feelings of oneself, for example, feelings of isolation, stress, disappointments, and regrets, for multiple reasons. The depression intensifies by observing the happy, intact happiness of others, comparing oneself with others, and thinking that it is only you who has a life entirely with unreal moments. Social media is where everyone has a wonderful time without showing some challenging, depressing moments. The struggles that one has can intensify by watching the happy situations of others featured on social media, and even regardless of one’s status, the seasonal posts with high expectations of the holiday can overwhelm one. Therefore, rather than watching social media, it is better to do something that refreshes you. Plus, It doesn’t have to be socializing with friends but doing something that simultaneously makes you happy and safe. Because this holiday occurs more often for the people who deal with high stress throughout the year, such as the feeling of being safe and comfortable is better.
- Spend some time with people who you love.
People going through holiday blues tend to isolate themselves from other people. Isolation makes them stuck with negative feelings and stress from mental problems. It would be helpful to meditate alone, but what about spending time with someone you love? Talking with someone you can trust about life struggles and honest opinions can help you view your life objectively with less titled views. Therefore, it can lessen your stress and lead you to think about how you will get through them without being caught up with them. Also, a warm and cozy Christmas with people you love can help you eliminate the loneliness that comes from the holiday vibes at the end of the year, which keeps you positive without being unexpectedly lonely.
- Set realistic goals for yourself for the new year
Usually, disappointment comes from high goals and results that didn’t meet their expectations. People often joke that everyone sets goals for themselves, such as dieting, studying harder, working out in the gym, and so on at the beginning of the year, but they eventually fail to do so. We can set high goals at the beginning of the year with a new start. However, it is challenging to succeed in every destination we wish to achieve because starting a new year doesn’t mean we stop doing things from last year and then entirely begin something new. Therefore, setting realistic goals that match the current situation is essential, with close speculations of what you have done and what you want to or have to get done next year, rather than setting irrelevant goals. After this, you should feel pride about what you accomplished and hope for what you will achieve next year. Consequently, this will help you lessen your disappointment and fears about the new coming year.
Greetings of the New Year, 2023
Don’t have a hard time if you’re experiencing unknown depression, emptiness, and lack of motivation at the end of the year when everyone looks happy. It’s okay to be blue, and the fact that you acknowledge your feelings is the first step to dealing with your depression, organizing your situations, and getting yourself mentally ready for the new year of 2023. Let’s be proud and optimistic about what you have succeeded in 2022 and greet 2023 with hopes and cheers.