People feel that everyone should be cheerful, happy and in a celebratory mood. But the stress of the holidays can stimulate feelings of sadness and depression.
There is a host of situations that add to stress and difficult emotions during the holidays. Many people compare their moods to others' and if they do not feel that they are as happy as others, then the feelings of sadness is magnified. As a result they feel like an outsider.
Unrealistic gift giving creates financial woes. But not having money for gifts also creates stress and depression. When a person cannot afford to buy gifts for their family, it can be quite upsetting, even devastating.
Working yourself into a frenzy, becoming overworked and fatigued can plunge some into depression.
Some do not have a caring family or a family at all. Approximately twenty four percent of Americans live alone and many of those not by choice.
Others have memories of dysfunctional families and holidays filled with arguments and stress and unrealistic expectations. Trying to please others, to meet their demands and expectations brings causes sadness and feeling a lack of self worth.
Estrangement, divorce and grief can create feelings of depression that can last long after the holidays.
Then there is SAD, seasonal affective disorder. Sad may be quite prevalent this year due to the weather we have been experiencing.
In addition to changing the lighting at home, getting out of the house, taking time for ourselves, exercising, eating healthful meals can help one to feel better.
How can we help? We can be aware of others feelings. We can pay it forward, thinking of other's needs rather than ourselves.
Reach out to others, volunteer for a period of time. There are many things that we can do. Not only do we help others feel better, we feel better ourselves.
Thanks for stopping by and reading our blog. Remember the reason for the season. What a birthday celebration!
God bless each of you.
Really liked your post & I can relate to everything you said. Good for you in stepping up & writing about the other side of the Christmas coin. There are many readers out here who will understand exactly what you are saying.
ReplyDeleteSadness is so often "swept under a rug" It festers until it becomes a huge cancer.
DeleteThis is so true. I find that focusing on the true meaning of Christmas really helps me appreciate the season. We don't exchange gifts with each other and don't expect anything from the kids even though we do send them a little something. My joy is going to be fixing Christmas dinner for my sister and her hubby and our pal Paul. And enjoying our 68 degree weather on Christmas day.
ReplyDeleteTemperature here today is going to be 75! Woo hoot! What's for dinner???
DeleteWhat a great and thought provoking post. Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteThanks Betty, After the kids became adults and lived on their own, The Christmas season was hard on me. I knew the reason for Christmas, but still felt so sad, I dreaded the holidays for weeks.
DeleteGiving something as little as a smile which doesn't cost the giver but can help to lift many a spirit those that need it most. Pass it on! Be Safe and Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteIt's about time.
A smile and a kind word!
DeleteNice post. Thanks Nan...and. Merry Christmas to you and John.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo Ann. Merry Christmas to you and Bill. Going to miss you this week.
DeleteExcellent blog post, Nan!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol.
DeleteAnd God bless you too, Nan. Our son is flying down to spend Christmas with us, as he doesn't want to be alone. He and we can relate to much of what you posted. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Enjoy your son. More people relate to this than we can imagine.
Deleteso very true!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your reply.
DeleteIt is definitely a rough time of year for many and for just the reasons you have mentioned. It is good to look around closely and see how people are really doing if we can.
ReplyDeleteI imagine that I have left out other reasons for seasonal sadness.
DeleteYou are right. Not everyone is jolly during the holidays. That in itself makes it a SAD time. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteThank you. There are so many unrealistic expectations and knowing that they cannot be met.
DeleteVery well said and so true at this times of year. A simple smile can make someones day!
ReplyDeleteYou are right George. Thanks for your reply.
DeleteWow, 24% live alone, I never realized it was that high. Great post today.
ReplyDeleteGood post. I go thru the motions each year, and am always happy to just be with our daughter etc., but I much prefer non holiday visits. Next year should be interesting. We hope to be in Florida.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first year that John and I have spent Christmas alone. I am more comfortable with it than I thought I could be. I just wonder if it is because it is impossible for me to have ANY expectations since we are not around any family.
DeleteAmen...thank Nan!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm depressed! But I'll have you to cheer me up next week. ;) Kris is really looking forward to meeting a fiber artist!!
ReplyDeleteNo depression for you! You are out of Amazon and now on the road!
DeleteI am a great lover of all things fiber. Will enjoy sharing with Kris.
Thanks Nan for sharing your blog with me. I have marked it to follow...may just show as E & J (Bowker may not show up). Enjoyed it and found the info regarding things to do and see interesting and the photos are very nice! Should our travels take us North, your blog will be one of the first places I go to find interesting and educational things to do. Yes, we are down to only 5 units now and from here it is amazing to actually see clear to the end of the rows! Take care...sitting out the storm...watching the weather...and hoping it goes far west of us!
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you enjoyed the blog.
DeleteI think the storm has passed. I've been watching the radar online and what we are getting is mild. I think we rocked more earlier this evening in the wind.
This season magnifies some family situations even more. My own two daughters ages 45 and 47 have not spoken for over 4 years. It got even worse when they were both at their Dad's on Thanksgiving and one choose to tell the group she had NO SISTER anymore. Everyone at the gathering was made uncomfortable. I fear they will never be sisters again. We pray every night for healing but it can be difficult to feel optimistic. So, we have breakfast at one daughters, dinner at the others. I confess to a certain jealousy when I see families happily together during this time. But I can grateful that hubby and I have a good relationship with both of them. All we can do is love them and continue praying
ReplyDeleteYour babies are hurting. How sad. I have a brother that totally ignores me and I have no idea why. We think that families should be close from birth to death, but, many times, it does not work out that way.
DeleteSomething that we don't think about at this normally joyous time...We have all had our sad Christmas seasons..people die, get sick, lose their jobs, get stressed out...We have all been there at one time or another...When the great Christmas comes along, we should just sit and soak it up...they all are NOT great!,,Well said blog.
ReplyDeleteAnd some people go through this sadness year after year after year.
DeleteThanks for the comment.
Great post. I wish we could all slow down at Christmas instead of go into some frenetic pace and buying frenzy that has nothing to do with peace on earth!
ReplyDeleteI could not have said it better, Donna.
DeleteThanks Donna.. Slowing down is a hard decision to make. It can be done though. How do you eat an elephant? One bight at a time.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sad at Christmas, I just want to celebrate in my own way. And that's okay. I'm good with it, but sometimes it seems to make other people uncomfortable. :)
ReplyDeleteBarbara, that is what freedom is all about. Merry Christmas.
DeleteThoughtful, incisive post Nan.
ReplyDeleteIt would seem from the comments of eveyone that most folks seem willing to be more tolerant, accepting and understanding of those whose lifestyles, customs, relgious beliefs and financial position are differnt than their own.
I hope that this expression of understanding will last longer than simply the Christmas season and that folks will practice it the year round.
If so, this might actually help those afflicted with feelings of sadness and depression. Otherwise, it's simply one more way of making oursleves feel better during a stressful time of the year for many.