By Brian Campued
While reunions and gatherings are much-awaited events during Christmastime and the New Year, merrymaking can also make a person feel the “holiday blues”—after all, this should be the season to be jolly right?
Amid joyous celebrations, colorful lights, and sumptuous feasts—for many people, the holidays are not quite the most wonderful time of the year, as they can also bring stress, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness.
According to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), holiday blues, while they may be temporary, are usually brought about by a combination of different stressors, including conflicts during reunions, traffic, year-end piles of work, overspending, being alone, state of grief, and societal expectations.
Microaggressions, or subtle and insensitive biased comments, during family gatherings may also affect one’s self-esteem. Comparisons on life situations and experiences can also contribute to feelings of inadequacy.
“Nakikita natin na nagkakaroon ng reaksiyon ang isang individual, be it sa emotion or physical. Puwedeng magkakaroon ng fatigue, lungkot, anxiety, [at] discomfort,” Dr. Rodney Boncajes, medical specialist at the NCMH, said in a radio interview on Dec. 13.
“This is time-limited, kasi kapag sinabi nating holiday blues o parang may kinalaman sa season na ‘yon, ine-expect natin na kapag tapos na ‘yon o kapag nagkaroon na ng resolution, magiging okay na uli ‘yung individual,” Dr. Boncajes added.
While occasionally feeling sad is a normal human response, prolonged sadness may also be a sign of depression.
“Despite the resolution of the conflict or ‘yung kakulangan ay nagtutuloy-tuloy ‘yung pakiramdam ng pagiging sobrang malungkot at naapektuhan na ‘yung kakahayan ng isang tao na mag-function, hindi na siya karaniwang lungkot,” Dr. Boncajes explained.
The health expert urged the public to be more sensitive and empathetic towards what others may feel as even unintentional comments can affect someone’s mental health negatively.
The DOH has also been promoting the “12 S of Stress Management” for anybody who is going through a stressful time: spirituality, sports, smile, sounds and sights, speaking to someone, stress debriefing, siesta/sleep, self-awareness, socials, stretching, scheduling, and sensation.
If you are feeling overwhelmed due to high expectations, financial pressures, and social obligations, the NCMH suggests setting realistic expectations, “Make a list of tasks and focus on the most important ones. Don’t take on more than you can handle.”
You may also need to track your holiday spending to avoid financial stress when the season’s over, it added.
Focus on personal growth, do not forget to check in on yourself, too! You can try something new and different to celebrate the season, exercise, or you can just relax and rest—because those parties do deplete your social batteries.
Those who may be struggling with loneliness, depression, or suicidal thoughts are encouraged to reach out to the NCMH help line 1553 via landline or at 0917-899-8727 and 0919-057-1553 via mobile for immediate psychological first aid and free mental health consultation.
“Maliban po sa NCMH, there are other hospitals with mental health services. We have nine advanced comprehensive centers and 13 basic comprehensive centers across the country. And our rural health units are already equipped with basic mental health services para mas malapit ang serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan,” Dr. Boncajes said.
-jpv
