Xmas sad1 – by mokra at www.sxc.hu
Which song more reflects your view of the holiday season?
“Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas” or “I’ll Have a Blue Christmas”
Temporary depression, loneliness, or high stress cause many to wish they could just skip the month of December. This is often called, “Holiday Blues.” It is not a clinical term, but refers to the phenomenon that exists when people feel down at a supposedly joyous time of year.
The Holiday Blues are not an Indictment of your Faith.
The Bible shows us that many great saints experienced difficult and “down” times in their lives. They struggled with depression, loneliness, loss of purpose, and grief. Consider Elijah (1 Kings 19), Job, Jeremiah, Paul, and Jesus. The Bible doesn’t command us to celebrate the birth of Christ nor do we even know when Christ was born. Being blue during the holidays or not enjoying the holidays does not necessarily mean you are lacking in your faith. The Bible no where requires a Christian to be “happy” during the holidays.
What are some causes and symptoms of the Holiday Blues?
The causes can be many and are often specific to the individual. Here are a few possible causes:
- Past losses and grief.
- Conflict in relationships (divorce, sibling rivalry, in-law tension, etc.)
- Unrealistic expectations (perfect gift, meal, Idealistic view of the holidays)
- Cold and dreary weather of the winter
- Increased stress and tension
- Financial constraints (overspending and conflict over money, debt, guilt for not being able to purchase what desire)
Some symptoms of the holiday blues can involve the following:
- Headaches, fatigue, change in appetite and increased anxiety
- Excessive and inappropriate feelings of guilt
- Lack of interest in activities
- Abnormal sleeping and eating habits
- Increased snippiness, anger, or short fuse.
- A sad disposition and countenance
- Withdrawal
- Being consumed with dreading the event and holidays.
How can we cope with the Holiday Blues?
There is no magic cure, especially if dealing with grief or family conflict. Here are a few suggestions you may consider:
- Give yourself permission to grieve. Don’t have unrealistic expectations for yourself.
- Keep your expectations for the holidays manageable. Communicate your desires with family and friends. Sometimes traditions need to be kept, other times it may be good to start new ones.
- Do not over plan. Build time in the holidays for rest, reflection, sorrow, and privacy.
- Do not over spend. Set a budget and rigidly stick to it, so you don’t create more stress that will hinder your relationships and joy in the holidays. Don’t judge the value of a gift, by the price tag. Focus your holiday around more than the gift-giving and receiving.
- Get involved in helping others and fulfilling a purpose. Read Romans 12:10-15 and apply it to your life. Stay involved with your family and the church by taking part in the activities and functions. Volunteer your time to help a congregational ministry or community ministry to the poor. Visit those in the hospital or shut-in to a nursing home. Go see some old friends and rekindle a friendship. Give financially to help a family with Christmas gifts.
- Be open and honest with others. Don’t try to carry your burden alone. Make yourself vulnerable and share your struggles with others and it will bless you.
What about God and the Holiday Blues?
While it is not an indictment of your faith to dread the holidays, you should know that your faith can help you deal with the difficulties of the holidays. Seek to trust in God and place your faith in Him. Draw nearer to Him as a source of strength and help. Pray fervently. Remind yourself of a healthy biblical worldview, one which views yourself not as a victim, but as a blessed person. Find reasons to be thankful and seek the peace that passes understanding (Phil 4:4-8). Remember that you are loved and cared for by God (1 Pet. 5:7, Ps. 145:14-16).
