The Joys and Challenges of the Holiday Season
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When you think of the holidays, the first things that may come to mind may be friends and family, partners, kids, and grandchildren, all getting together to share in the celebration. Good food, good conversation, and exchanging gifts in a show of gratitude to one another. It has always been considered a time for happiness and joy, the spirit of the holidays is rooted in all positive emotions. That is the story for some of us, but not all.
On the other hand, the same things that some people find joy in, can be the source of great pain and emotional distress for others. This article aims to shed light on both sides of this topic, examining the joys and challenges that everyday people experience during the holiday season.
Danielle Jeffery, RP, and her qualified team of psychotherapists at Danielle Counselling recognize that the holidays can be a troubling time for some people. We have helped many of our clients navigate this problematic time of the year and provided them with the tools and coping mechanisms that allow them to rise above the challenges and strive towards a happier outlook towards the holiday season!
Take the first step by booking your free consultation online today!
Taking a Closer Look at the Holidays
Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas give many people the opportunity to gather as a family, reconnect, catch up on the events of the previous year and strengthen the bond they have. It is an important social interaction that helps keep family members close, giving love, support and laughter to each other.
However, in many ways, the holiday season is just a social construct. Collectively as a society, we have chosen specific dates for these events to take place, and have been told that these are happy occasions and if you aren’t happy, something is wrong. After all, there are holidays reserved for remembrance, where there is no expectation of joy.
The Challenges of the Holiday Season
It has been ingrained in society that the holidays are a time for happiness and relaxation, so much so, that the notion of not enjoying the holidays will have you labeled as a ‘grinch’ or otherwise.
It turns out that many of the reasons to be happy and celebrate the holidays, cause significant emotional distress and sadness in a surprisingly large percentage of the population. Some aspects of the holidays that are primary concerns include:
Financial Troubles - It is very expensive to feed a large group of people, even covering the cost of a nice dinner for two can be strenuous for some. Add in travel expenses, gifts for family, friends, extended family, new clothes, and the list goes on. The holiday season is very expensive and this can cause serious stress or even prevent people from participating at all. A study from 2020 suggested that as many as 1 in 4, or 9.5 million Canadians were likely unable to afford the holiday season, but felt immense pressure to participate anyways.
Shopping and Deadlines - Christmas shopping is renowned for being a stressful and chaotic experience, with so many people to consider and the time constraints of the holidays getting closer and closer. People with anxiety or depression can find this feeling to be extremely overwhelming.
Social Gatherings - People who are introverts, those with social anxiety or depression might dread the idea of a large gathering. Overthinking and worrying about the personal questions they might be asked, about work, dating, and so on. If social engagements aren’t your thing, this can weigh heavily on your mind.
Strained Family Relations - families are tough, plain and simple. The larger a family is, the more they tend to differ and disagree. For families in this situation, you may be in the unfortunate position where you have to choose from one side or another and may feel as though you are stuck in the middle.
The Media’s Portrayal - You can tell the holidays are approaching simply based on the change in advertising and branding that occurs in the business world. Every commercial and ad that you see is filled with happy, smiling families and friends enjoying holiday festivities. It is very unlikely you will see an ad addressing the challenges of the holidays and so we live in an echo chamber that only promotes the happy side of the holidays.
Personal Losses - the death of a spouse, child, relative, or close friend is often re-lived during the holidays. The first year without them, missing their presence, and reminiscing about years prior can dredge up some overwhelming emotions and trauma. This includes a recent divorce or breakup as well.
Loneliness - In some cases, people have become completely estranged from their families or have unfortunately lost them all. For someone who has no family, a day celebrating family and togetherness can be extremely lonely and isolating. Loneliness is such a powerful emotion that it can actually cause serious chronic health concerns if left unaddressed.
How A Trained Therapist Can Help
If you noticed, there are common elements among all of the challenges listed above. All of them are rooted in emotions, perceptions, and mental health concerns - and those are all areas that can be addressed and improved upon with the help of professional therapy.
A safe space to express your emotions, an unbiased and impartial perspective to challenge your perceptions, and a professional observation and therapy plan designed to accommodate mental health concerns like anxiety and depression - these are all specialties of trained psychotherapists.
Depression and Anxiety Therapy Available In Oshawa, Ontario
Danielle Jeffery, RP, and her team all share a key set of values. We approach every interaction from a place of compassionate understanding. You will never be judged or excluded or diminished here. We want to share in your success and help you gain clarity and stability for a happier and healthier life!
Call our offices to speak with a member of our team or schedule a free consultation online today!
