Feeling sad at a time like Christmas is not unusual at all. These dates are marked by countless stereotypes such as family reunions or the exchange of gifts. However, some people are not able to communicate their feelings with this atmosphere of joy and happiness. This is what experts have agreed to call white depression, which, without being an illness, is a negative state of mind that affects those who experience this festive season as a contradiction. Below, we explain why this happens and what you can do to cope with sadness.
Christmas is a time marked by remembering loved ones who are no longer here. Grief and loneliness are associated both with the death of someone close and, for example, with romantic breakups. This feeling, together with other environmental factors such as the colder and darker weather, or the stress inherent in organizing events or buying gifts, can negatively impact our mood and create us.
The idealization of these dates is another issue that can create rejection. Sometimes we cannot meet high consumer expectations due to financial problems or we do not feel comfortable due to the obligation to meet with people we do not like.
All of this can plunge us into a deep feeling of sadness, marked by some symptoms such as irascibility and low mood, anxiety, insomnia, the urge to cry or nostalgia.
There is no wrong way to experience Christmas. That is why it is important to validate your own feelings and accept that this is just a bad time that will eventually pass. Forcing ourselves to feel good or hiding our sadness from others will be counterproductive and will only deepen the grinch stigma. Instead, you should explain how you feel to people you trust so they understand your position.
On the other hand, there are other alternatives that will help you manage sadness and maintain serenity during the holidays:
