Christmas is about a week from now. How are you feeling? It is common to fall into one or more of the 4 moods at Christmas. Are you joyful about the festivities, or are you stressed about Christmas activities like shopping and cooking? Or, maybe Christmas is just another day for you, and you cannot be bothered by all the Christmas cheer around you? Lastly, do you feel sad, lonely, and unable to celebrate with others? Now, let’s look more closely at these 4 moods of Christmas – Joyful, Stressed, Bored, and Depressed.
The 4 moods at Christmas
1) Joyful
Are you feeling joy and nostalgia? Are you looking forward to the merriment, gift exchanges, and all the delicious foods synonymous with Christmas? If so, you belong to the joyful group! Members of this group look forward to all the activities and embrace the opportunity to celebrate. In addition, they are thankful to be alive and can’t wait to share their joy with everyone.
Interestingly, studies show that Christians fall into this category, particularly those who are more religious. They recognize the true meaning of Christmas and that God came to save us. If you are in this category, you are doing great, and all I have to tell you is to keep doing what you are doing! I have no additional tips for you but that you go easy on the booze and the food.
2) Stressed
Stress and anxiety are common around Christmas. There is increased stress because of the frenzy of Christmas activities, including shopping, cooking, and entertaining. Also, financial stress is very common around Christmas. Spending money on gifts for loved ones produces a financial burden, increasing stress and anxiety.
If you belong in this category, here are a few tips to help you manage your stress levels.
A) Start early
Plan your activities for the Christmas season months ahead. In fact, you can even do your Christmas shopping a year earlier, right after Christmas, when everything is on sale.
B) Learn to say “No”
You don’t have to go to every party or partake in all the Christmas activities. Instead, choose a few you can comfortably attend and say no to the rest.
C) Choose simple gifts
Shopping for others can be stressful, especially when they are not a member of your immediate family. Buy simple gifts that most people will appreciate. Also, you can choose to buy gift cards instead.
D) Have a budget
There is no point trying to get people gifts you cannot afford. Overspending will only increase your anxiety levels and give you sleepless nights. Instead, have a firm budget and stick to it. Eventually, most people appreciate the thoughts behind the gift and not the gift itself.
E) Schedule time for yourself
Plan to engage in activities you enjoy, even during Christmas. Find something you love to do, and that relaxes your mind. It could be bingeing on your favorite TV shows, reading a novel, taking a walk, etc.
3) Bored
You don’t see what others are so excited about, and you can’t be bothered by all the merriment around you. After all, Christmas is just another day out of 365! If this describes you, that is good, so far as you are at peace with yourself and your life. If not, why not try participating in the fun and the merriment? After all, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
For example, one of the things you have to gain is happiness. Happiness produces great results, including helping you live longer. For more on happiness, check out these 10 Health Benefits of Happiness.
4) Depressed
Are you feeling sad and lonely for no reason that you can explain? Or, has life thrown you a curveball that has left you bewildered? Are you watching everyone else be happy and wondering why your story is different? Your depressed mood could be from Holiday blues, mental illness, or just one of life’s tough seasons. Interestingly, research shows that, in many people, Christmas is associated with higher stress levels, reduced wellness, and health problems.
Generally, many people experience a decrease in life satisfaction and emotional well-being during Christmas. And research also shows that one of the most significant reasons why some people are depressed at Christmas is because they mistakenly believe that everyone else is happy and has a great life with loving family relationships.
If you are in this category, here are a few tips that can help:
A) Acknowledge your feelings
Know that it is okay not to be okay. There is no guilt in being depressed. As a matter of fact, acknowledging your feelings puts you on the path to taking steps to help you feel better.
B) Avoid being alone
Reach out to friends and family members. Talking to loved ones can help you get through this difficult phase. And if they are not physically available around you, try calling, texting, or video chatting.
C) Focus on others
It may help to find a need in your local community that you can fill. Volunteering to help others shifts your focus from your mood to the joy in others as you serve them. And joy is contagious!
D) Avoid alcohol
Resist the temptation to drown your sorrows. Alcohol is a depressant, and you will likely feel worse when its effects wear off.
E) Seek professional help
If you feel overwhelmed and nothing else seems to help, please talk to your doctor or mental health professional.
Healthy tips for Christmas
No matter which of the 4 moods at Christmas describes you, these suggestions will help you achieve a healthier and happier Christmas season.
1) Eat healthy meals and avoid over-indulgence.
2) Rest and get plenty of sleep
3) Do not compare yourself to others.
4) Avoid being misled by all the Christmas blitz on social media.
5) Engage in physical activity and exercise at least three times a week.
6) Pray and meditate as often as you can.
7) Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake.
Final thoughts
So, how do you feel this Christmas? Are you joyful, stressed, bored, or depressed? Or do you fall into more than one category?
Lastly, I want to speak to the people in category 4, the depressed mood.
Exactly 23 years ago today, I had a devastating life event just a week before Christmas. The sudden, unexpected and tragic loss of my mom. It was the bleakest period of my life. Yet, people were celebrating around me. There was joy and merriment around me while I felt like I was being suffocated alive. That year, obviously, I could not choose joy as it would have been humanly impossible to choose joy. So, I mourned.
And today, you may not have the option to choose joy. Sometimes, life takes away our choices. Perhaps you have lost someone or something that you held dear. Remember that it is okay and healthy to mourn for a period.
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5 NKJV)
Finally, life is in seasons. If you live long enough, you will find out that there is a time to weep and a time to laugh. So, if you are not feeling the merriment and the cheer this Christmas season, rest assured that this, too, shall pass, and you will find your joy again. You will not forget this period when you mourned, but you will see growth from it. You will be able to look back and realize that God had you in the palms of his hands, and He always will!
Please feel free to share your comments below and also feel free to share this article.
And I wish you all a Merry Christmas!!!
Yours in health and fitness,
Doctor Abi
