December 14, 2023
Awareness & Humor Article
Christmas time is known for bringing joy, plus a plethora of commercials pushing hopeful sales of products and services during this joyous season. But amid all the merry-making, promises of good behavior, plus toys for the kids, the Christmas season has an additional population of people who are at their lowest during the holiday season.
Every Christmas memory isn't happy during the holiday season. For some, the holiday season reminds them of losing a friend, family member, or tragic event. For others who bite their lips in sheer frustration, knowing that in a couple of weeks, they will have to smile and grin at family members who do not have their best interest at hand. Can trigger anxiety in a normal human being.
Photo Source Wix Unsplash Photographer Etty Fidele
Rude questions tend to be asked when families gather during the Christmas season, such as:
Look at how fat you are getting!
When are you getting married?
Why does your son like the color pink so much?
Who's the daddies of your 4th and 5th child?
Etc, etc, etc.
Although many rude and intrusive questions may in some ways be made out of ignorance or a purposeful dis to cause some confusion during the holiday season as usual. Said negative or bad behavior from insensitive, ignorant family members or friends can leave lasting impressions on people. But guess what? For folks who experience Holiday Season Blues, you don't have to stay that way!
An article in Psychology Today by Dr. Amir A. Afkhami, MD Ph.D. titled "Christmas Blues" Dec 23, 2011, shares that "the Christmas period is a far cry from Norman Rockwell's post-war American ideal of family gatherings overflowing with gifts and laughter. Instead, it's a period with at least some kind of disappointment, anxiety, or even sadness, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Christmas is often accompanied by a variety of stressors, including alcohol, changed sleep rhythms, increased financial burdens, and family conflicts. Losses during the year, be it death of a loved one or economic setbacks, are experienced more acutely during this time.
It is crucial for individuals to acknowledge the difficulties during this period: seek professional help with severe Christmas depression when needed. However, staying active and not isolated, reducing alcohol consumption, and being aware and mindful of complicated family dynamics can lessen holiday blues. Most importantly, remember that the advertising hype and picture-perfect imagery is fictional; don't let it define your experience! https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/global-mental-health/201112/christmas-blues
With that said, let us all be a little kinder this Christmas and show or share the love of Christ instead of being a negative Nancy towards family members and friends you routinely hate on each holiday season. And remember, you don't want to be on Santa's naughty list. We at the Echo heard that he has some racist elves that work for him.
