Why do some people get sad at Christmas?

And while holidays are a time of joy, people sometimes have unrealistic expectations for how special something is going to be. This can lead to feelings of let-down later if those aren’t met. Similarly, people may be more likely to compare themselves to others during this time of year.

How does Christmas affect mental health?

According to the American Psychological Association, 38\% of people surveyed said their stress increased during the holiday season, which can lead to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. The reasons given: lack of time, financial pressure, gift-giving, and family gatherings.

Why do I get so emotional at Christmas?

At Christmas, you feel joy because you associate good things with the holiday. This is because your brain recognizes the previous joy of family time and the excitement of gifting as per the feelings you had as a child.

Is Christmas the most depressing time of year?

Iodine found that average PHQ-9 scores fluctuated significantly over the holidays with a spike of 15.2 on Christmas Eve and a dip of 13.6 on New Year’s Day. Iodine has only been running the Depression Test since early last December but, so far, Christmas Eve is the most depressed day they have on record.

Why is Christmas stressful?

Christmas comes with high expectations of perfect, happy families enjoying luxurious celebrations and gifts, but not all of us are able to live up to these ideals. Some people experience feelings of isolation, financial pressures or increased family conflict that can make this a very stressful time of year.

What is the most stressful month?

November is the most stressful month of the year. August is the best month of the year for recovery.

Why is Christmas a difficult time?

Christmas can feel difficult for many people, due different types of stresses. Vertical stress: This is the stress specific to a particular event or time of year. So at Christmas you might feel busy and pressured because of the shopping, cooking, cleaning and organising for the holidays.

Does Christmas improve mental health?

Celebrations can increase our appreciation for the positive elements in our lives, and will draw upon stores of positive emotion that we’ve built through memory. So go ahead and put up that Christmas tree. Even if there won’t be as many people gathering around it this year, it should still make you feel better.

Why is Christmas a time of stress and depression?

The foods that are rich in calories, salt, fats and carbohydrates are ceaseless temptations even for those with a very strong will. The reasons that make Christmas and generally holiday periods, a period of stress and depression for some people are a lot. These range from personal, economic to physical and emotional.

What are the causes of depression during the holidays?

Social isolation is one of the biggest predictors of depression, especially during the holidays. Some people may have a small social circle or a lack opportunities for socialization. People who have feelings of disconnectedness often avoid social interactions at holiday time.

Why do I feel sad at Christmas time?

Painful memories. For many people, Christmas season brings back painful memories. Many people feel very lonely at Christmas, because they have suffered the loss of loved ones or their jobs. If you’ve had a difficult life, this is often the time when you most feel it.

Are Christmas and New Year’s holidays stressful for You?

No doubt the celebrations of Christmas and New Year’s are moments of love, joy and happiness. At least this is how it should be or how we want to believe it is. Unfortunately for many people Christmas holidays is a period of depression and stress.