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December is a month of expectations, colored by many parties, get-togethers and, of course, holidays. It is the month that sweeps away the old and brings in the new year. It’s the time when our homes shine with glittery decorations on Christmas trees and the smell of homemade cookies. The streets are decorated and the shops are full of tempting gifts. For all its splendor, however, December is a month that is anything but happy for many people.

For many people, December is a month of sadness, loneliness and emptiness. This year’s holiday season is especially difficult because of all the restrictions and prohibitions we have to follow due to the spread of the coronavirus, which can deepen feelings of isolation, hopelessness and helplessness.

During the holidays, there may be a short-term deterioration in mood, to depression, sadness, anxiety, helplessness, etc., which is not yet professionally defined as depression. Usually, this kind of holiday depression is short-lived but intense and goes away when the holidays are over.

Why are the holidays the hardest time of the year for some?

During the holidays, especially during the Christmas and New Year holidays, socializing, fun, and connection with loved ones are in the foreground. For people who relieve their hardships by withdrawing into the work environment, the absence of a work structure during the day may bring these hardships to the fore. These are, for example, people who are lonely in their private lives and whose work allows them to have most of their contact with others, but they remain alone during the holidays. They experience a feeling of isolation, loneliness, which manifests itself in the form of a depressed mood or holiday depression.

Absence of the usual work structure of the day

In the absence of everyday obligations, we can feel an inner emptiness that leads to depression or severe anxiety. People with this type of problem also fill their holidays with various activities and obligations to avoid the “boredom” that fills them with anxiety. The depressed mood stops when the person returns to the established tracks of life.

Conflict relationships

Mood disorders can also occur in those who live in conflictual relationships or face various forms of family and marital problems. During this time, conflicts can increase, as a result there is a greater feeling of dissatisfaction, sometimes even being trapped in divisive relationships.

Introverted people

People who are more withdrawn and less sociable may experience the increased expectation or demands of socializing and entertainment as a pressure that puts them in distress. Thus, they withdraw even more into themselves, close themselves off, and at the same time experience helplessness, uncertainty and anxiety. During the time of COVID-19, these people experience less hardship because such restrictions on socializing reduce the pressure that society would otherwise impose on them.

False notions about holidays

Feelings of loneliness can also be triggered by the false idea about the holidays that is given to us by various media, how we should be surrounded by people, be able to buy all the presents and be happy all the time. Not being able to live up to the expectations of this performance can lead to a feeling of isolation. If, in addition, we do not have a family with whom we are on good terms, we are single, we have recently broken up with our partner or we have otherwise lost a loved one with whom we used to spend the holidays, the loneliness is even stronger.

How can we spend the holidays more peacefully and contentedly?

Instead of thinking about what the holidays should be according to some ideals, let’s look at what we already have and what gives us feelings of satisfaction, peace and gratitude. Let’s try to remember all the good things that happened to us this year.

If we don’t have a big family to spend Christmas Eve with, we have the freedom to spend the evening in peace and treat ourselves to something special. We can go for a walk or take part in a charity event and help those who have it even harder.

Frequent thinking that the end of the year is a turning point before which we should achieve who knows what, creates a strong psychological pressure in us, even though these are actually days like all the rest of the year. Regardless of the date, there is always the next day, next week or month when we can work just as actively to achieve our goals and joy’s.

We live in a time when life has become much more unpredictable and requires a great deal of adaptation, tolerance and openness towards each other. Let’s take advantage of this time to rethink what is really important and how we can spend the holidays as pleasantly and satisfactorily as possible with moderation.