Surviving the Christmas blues
Do you dread the Christmas family tradition; the obligations and expectations family places on you during the festive season?
Sadag (South African Depression and Anxiety Group) realises that people do not all experience the same feelings of joy during the festive season, and everyone copes differently.
If you associate the holidays with a bad time in your life – the loss of a loved one, a previous depression – this time of year will naturally bring those memories back.
For people who have recently lost a loved one or are spending their first Christmas alone due to a recent divorce or even relocation, Christmas and family gatherings can be incredibly stressful. The extra financial burden during this time can also make one feel very low.
Do you dread the Christmas family tradition – the obligations and expectations your family places on you during the festive season? Maybe for you, like so many others, the biggest source of holiday stress is the family. This could also be a time of loneliness, sadness and grief for so many.
There’s this societal ‘rule’ that says holiday gatherings with family are supposed to be fun and stress-free. The reality is that family relationships are complicated and can be full of stress. But that’s not a reason to ignore the holidays completely.
Zane Wilson, the founder of Sadag, knows how hard the festive feason can be, and said, “It so important to keep our lines open during this time to help those in need and for us to help provide useful and helpful ways of coping during the holidays”.
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