At face value, it seems like everyone is absolutely in love with holidays and the festive season, however, not everyone is tickled by the idea of the festive cheers – they are known to have the holiday blues.
According to Hein Hofmeyr, a clinical psychologist at Akeso Clinic, holiday blues are a state of mind that is less severe than that of depression. The symptoms of holiday blues are then slightly similar to depression and anxiety, but to a lesser degree.
Hofmeyr said some symptoms of holiday blues include feeling sad and discouraged, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, feelings of stress and anxiety, feeling hopeless and isolation from others.
Hoymfeyr added that the anxiety of the months during the festive season may even cause those who are usually able to regulate their emotions and behaviour to feel lonely and experience a lack of fulfilment. Even though these symptoms are not conclusive, they go a long way in helping individuals identify causes of their holiday blues.
Causes of the holiday blues:
- Spending the festive season alone.
- The loss of loved ones or jobs.
- Social phobia or strained family relationships.
- Anxiety caused by demands to spend money on entertainment and gifts.
- Having to live up to the ‘perfect’ image portrayed of Christmas by society.
Hofmeyr said if the above symptoms are ever severe to the point that they interfere with individuals functioning appropriately in their family, social or work-related environments, they should seek immediate treatment.
“Suicidal thoughts or fantasies during this time of the year should not be taken lightly since the South African Depression and Anxiety Group reports that December has the highest rates of suicide for the whole year. This could indicate the possibility of a strong link between suicide and holiday blues or depression,” Hofmeyr concluded.
Five ways to beat the holiday blues:
- Eat well and don’t forget to exercise.
- Reduce and consume alcohol in moderation.
- Relaxation is important to manage your time appropriately during the festive season.
- Make a realistic budget and stick to it.
- Use your support network.
