Each year, from October 31st through January 1st, there are 4 major holidays (Halloween, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, New Years, and those that occur in mid to late December [Christmas, Hanukkah, and/or Kwanzaa]) are celebrated. Since this time is filled with so many holidays, it has become synonymous with a time of great joy, happiness, and togetherness due to the ideals and meanings associated with these holidays. However, it can also be a time of struggle for others. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as the “Holiday Blues” in reference to the depression and other negative feelings that impact many people. Although many of us are familiar with the term “Holiday Blues” and often see it as an excuse, the significance of its impact on those afflicted by it cannot be stressed enough, especially for those with a pre-existing mental health condition. According to statistics gathered by the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), it is estimated that 64% of those with a pre-existing mental health condition experience worsened symptoms during this time of year. This is especially true for those who have diagnoses such as Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder because of the high emotional demands and stress that can also be associated with some of these holidays/celebrations.
Stressors during this time of year can come from a myriad of sources, all of which can be significant and difficult for anybody to handle on their own, but added onto the overwhelming experience of suffering from other mental health symptoms and stressors already can make this time of year more difficult to bear than one could ever imagine. When analyzing these stressors, 3 categories can be formed based on the source from which the stressors originate. The first category can be defined as natural difficulties and stressors, which refer to situations occurring naturally during this time of year that could negatively impact anybody. One example of a stressor in this category is the decreased amount of sunlight. This is the time of year when the days progressively get shorter until they are finally capped by the winter solstice, or the shortest day and longest night. Other stressors that fall within this category include stress from traveling to and from other residences for events, difficulties driving in the winter weather, and decreased opportunities to participate in outdoor activities that are present throughout other seasons.
Apart from these stressors, another category includes stressors from societal/familial expectations during the holiday season. These stressors are often harder to predict because of the wide variety of expectations that each person’s family may have since these are often based on the traditions and customs associated with each person’s family history and culture. However, that does not discount the impact of these stressors on a person. Additionally, there are still common societal pressures that can significantly impact those already susceptible to societal pressure and expectations. Some examples of these include financial stressors from purchasing gifts for family and other loved ones, the pressure to pretend to be happy and excited during this time of year, and comparisons to other people’s posts and photos on social media. The final category that these stressors can be separated into includes those stressors related to past trauma or upcoming negative experiences. These stressors are arguably the most impactful because of the deep-rooted connection these stressors can have with a person’s emotional wellness and ability to cope with other stressors. Some examples of these stressors include the pressure from seeing undesired family members and, for some, facing the holidays without a loved one. The impact of these factors can be daunting to even fathom during any time of the year, but during this season, these stressors are often more impactful because of the volume, frequency, and intensity that occurs during this time of year.
As mentioned before, many factors can impact a person’s perception of this whimsical season and cause negative experiences. To combat this, it is vital that we look past the societal norms and expectations associated with this time of year and ensure that we are focused on the well-being of those we want to spend time with.
