Being sad at Christmas: what is Christmas Blues

the fact

But what can lead to feeling sad in a moment of celebration? One of the major causes is certainly social pressure

December 25, 2024- A period full of lightsthe Christmas one; the streets are filled with the mania of good wishes, greetings, red paper gifts. Days marked by big lunches, by lit fireplaces, by movie and TV series marathons to do together: together with people you see every day, but also together with people you haven't seen for months, or even years. Everyone they are happy, everyone they enjoy the undeniable warmth of these long holidays and the company. This, at least, in an ideal world: and no, we do not live in an ideal world. Among the festive crowd, there are those who don't celebrate and who realize that they harbor a deep sadness, at odds with the general mood. They call it Christmas Blues and behind the label lies an emotional state that tends towards the dark.

By Christmas Blues we mean a state of anxiety and sadness linked to the festive period and which tends to dissolve with the end of the latter. Although very distinct from widespread seasonal depression, it presents symptoms that end up being very similar. In addition to the onset of feelings such as sadness, frustration, anxiety, distortions of the cognitive sphere may occur, such as the recurrence of intrusive thoughts and difficulty concentrating.

But what can lead to feeling sad in a moment of celebration? One of the major causes is certainly the social pressure. The impression of necessarily having to feel happy, to better blend in with the social fabric around us, can have the opposite effect. Furthermore, the stress of gifts, dinners and social events can increase cortisol levels, preventing us from getting the rest we promised ourselves. Furthermore, the holidays are the time when we often take stock of absences and nostalgias that we have neglected in our daily lives. Not to mention that the time we spend free from work can lead us to experience moments of loneliness.

So what can we do to feel better? Here is a list of practical tips. However, let us remember that an article cannot replace a therapeutic consultation which remains a good solution if the intensity of the things experienced is significant.

• Legitimize the things you feel. Feeling sad when everyone is happy could lead you to feel “out of place.” Remind yourself that your emotions are just as normal as others. Accept the state of sadness, welcome it and let it pass.
• Follow your needs. Do you need to be alone? Set aside time to breathe deeply. The same goes the other way around: don't you want to spend too much time with yourself? Take advantage of keeping yourself busy, or dedicate moments to what you like to do, to your hobbies, what perhaps you can't do when you're stuck in the daily grind.
• Set boundaries. No, you don't have to answer all the questions your aunt will ask you during the dinner.
• Physical activity not only helps to work off lunches and dinners, but helps us produce hormones that make our mood generally higher and more stable. You don't necessarily need a superhero workout in the gym, even a walk in the park near your house will do the job.

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