Stand: December 21, 2024, 9:00 a.m
Von: Michaele Heske
PressSplit
For many people, the holidays are particularly stressful. A new offer in Taufkirchen tries to counteract this.
Dorfen/Taufkirchen – Every year again. Christmas is just around the corner. Some people are stressed because their family is coming, others because they are alone on Christmas Eve. What they all have in common is the idea of the perfect family celebration as the advertising suggests: goose, presents, glittering lights. The local newspaper spoke to experts about expectations and loneliness.
Heart project for more togetherness
“Loneliness is increasing, it's no longer a big city problem – we also have a lot of people who no one waits for on the holidays,” said Silke Geyer and Jennifer Voss. The two women from Dorfen believe that no one should be alone on Christmas Eve.
They invite you to the Taufkirchen multi-generational house for cookies and punch. The celebration takes place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Singing under the Christmas tree is just as much a part of it as table football or ratcheting. “We don’t have a program – it’s an open offer for young and old where we want to bring people together,” says Geyer.
Geyer describes the private initiative, which deliberately does not have an official label, as a first attempt, a bit like a “lucky bag”. “This is a project close to my heart, I am a convinced Christian and want to be there for people who are not doing so well,” explains social worker Voss.
Claudia Wegmann, head of the multi-generational house, was immediately enthusiastic about the “Christmas Eve together” campaign. She will also celebrate on December 24th, as will many other people from Dorfen and Taufkirchen. “We are consciously leaving the family behind this year,” adds Geyer.
However, Voss fears that the inhibition threshold is high. “You don’t like to admit that you don’t have any family or friends who want to celebrate with you.” When it comes to loneliness, the number of unreported cases is high, especially since in smaller towns almost everyone knows each other. “It would be nice if we could reduce fear of contact and establish a new Christmas Eve tradition for everyone,” emphasizes Geyer.
Better peace than too much perfection
Especially over Christmas, people become even more aware of their loneliness: “It's a family celebration. Everyone is sitting together, only I am alone – this thought increases the sadness,” says Dorfen psychotherapist Daniela Obermaier. She would like there to be an open table in restaurants or cafés over the holidays. “Those who are looking for a connection can meet there without obligation,” she appeals to the local innkeepers.
However, the psychologist points out that Christmas is also highly idealized. Preparations begin in Advent: writing Christmas cards to friends and relatives, decorating the Christmas tree. “It doesn’t always have to be a six-course meal,” advises Obermaier when it comes to self-care. “Shut down everything and prepare for the holidays.”
Mothers also have a right to a contemplative holiday. And if you don't have small children, you no longer have to buy Christmas presents at the last minute: “You can also give each other a cozy Christmas Eve.”
A new study shows that there are more heart attacks on Christmas Eve, the Christmas holidays and New Year's Day than outside the holidays. This observation was also made by Dr. Carsten Husemann, cardiologist at the MVZ Dorfen. Family celebrations are often a rollercoaster of emotions: “A mix of joyful excitement and great tension – especially in people with a history of stress, the stress level can trigger health problems.”
Of course, the doctor doesn't want to spoil the goose and the glass of red wine for people at Christmas, he says. “But you could make a New Year’s resolution to pay more attention to a healthy diet and, above all, to stop smoking.”
Telephone counseling often rings
It's not just the holidays that cause problems for people, according to the experience of Alexander Fischhold, who heads the Catholic telephone counseling service for the Archdiocese of Munich Freising, which is also responsible for the Erding district. “The time between the years is often much more stressful,” he knows.
At Christmas itself, most people are involved with their families. Those who return to the empty apartment feel the loneliness more clearly, and expectations are often not fulfilled. “The festival was nowhere near as peaceful as hoped, there were arguments and painful memories were brought back.”
The telephones are manned around the clock. The doorbell rings particularly often in the dark season. The most common cases are people suffering from loneliness and anxiety mixed with psychological difficulties. Or who are struggling with family problems such as divorce, inheritance, or arguments and professional problems. “Everything you can imagine plus ten percent more,” says Fischhold.
The people who call the telephone number (08 00) 1 11 02 22 are as diverse as their concerns. There are one-off contacts or repeat callers who just want to talk to someone again. By Epiphany, many people who are already receiving psychological treatment will also report. They are looking for a bridge, says Fischhold. “There is very little structure between the years – and the therapists are not available, practices and advice centers are closed.”
