Why do some people get depressed at Christmas?

Like every year, the Christmas holidays are approaching. Many are the people who feel happy but many others become depressed. What happens at christmas?

Family problems

As we have said in the introduction to this article, for many people the Christmas It is a moment of happiness, of rest and above all, to be able to meet with those people that you love the most. Now, it is also a time for many other people who cause anxiety, anguish, anger, anger and sadness, many times in need of the help of a psychologist after the holidays (or before passing them).

It is at this time that family conflicts break out, sometimes due to the individual differences of each of its members, due to past unresolved conflicts, the absence of loved ones, new members who join the family and are not well received. , due to envy and jealousy, financial problems, among many other reasons. All these and more, end up making these parties a torturous moment and for that reason, many people have chosen to spend Christmas outside the family environment.

American Psychological Association (APA) already stated that the Christmas holidays cause an increase in stress in society due to this break in the routine, causing people to be assumed in constant anxiety and giving rise to subsequent psychopathologies.

The new trend: spending Christmas alone

Since 2011 from studies such as Holiday Inn, among others, they have focused on this trend of passing the christmas alone or with the closest relatives excluding uncles, cousins, brothers-in-law, nephews and / or grandparents. More and more people decide to spend it like this and the concept of sadness is being put aside, since there are many other ways to celebrate Christmas by moving away from family conflicts (even sometimes, it is better to get away from these conflicts and continue with family relationships in a more balanced and healthy way). But… How can we celebrate Christmas without the family?

• We can plan a trip. It is not necessary large financial investments to enjoy the company of our partner and children in an unusual place, alone and enjoying that feeling of freedom..

• Generally the working hours are modified, giving more flexibility and freedom to people. It is precisely at this time that the person should take advantage of doing those activities that they cannot do during the year: reading, going to the theater, enjoying a walk, getting to know hidden places in their own city ...

• Reconnect with social relationships and friends. The work and family burden on many occasions prevent us from enjoying our friendships. Now is a good time.

• • In case of staying in the same place where you reside, those designated days are the time to go out to eat at interesting restaurants or prepare special meals. It is surprising how many couples decide to go to celebrate Christmas Day or New Year's Eve alone!!

Regardless of the way you want to celebrate the Christmas holidays, we must choose the way that provides us with emotional well-being. If we value family relationships, we enjoy those dates to meet, family conflicts are minimal and it will bring us personal and emotional benefit ... Great! But if we choose to celebrate Christmas alone, enjoying that feeling of freedom, time and discovery of both our environment and ourselves, great too!!