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In a recent poll, over 45 percent said that they dreaded the holiday altogether. Not everyone seems to see the light that Christmas brings, and if you look harder into the eyes of this joyous holiday, you may see why. More people kill themselves around Christmas time than any other time of year.
There are several reasons why people are depressed during the Christmas season. Spending money that most do not have creates an environment for depression. There is a lot of pressure on folks to buy gifts, especially, for their children, even, if they can not afford to buy them. The easy solution is for them to charge it and pay the consequences later. This creates guilt which compounds the depression problem.
Those who are single have their own set of needs that will stir up loneliness during the holidays. They go home to an empty house and try to fill the emptiness with other pursuits and activities.
What about those who are single not by choice, but rather, due to a death or an unwanted divorce? The pain just does not go away. The feeling of rejection, compounded by watching others together during the season, forms the perfect situation for depression.
Other issues that cause Christmas to be dreaded is: overeating, crowed stores, time constraints, office parties, etc Is it any wonder that over 50 percent of people polled said that they think Christmas should be toned down a bit.
What are some viable way
s to attempt to overcome depression at Christmas time?
The first is to plan your budget for Christmas. Over spending is a real concern for most, therefore, make a budget and stick to it. Many will open up a Christmas savings account in which they add to all year. The bank then at a designated time will send out a check in ample time for Christmas spending.
If you are single and prone to be lonely at Christmas be pro-active. There are plenty of others who are less fortunate. You will find them at the nursing homes, rescue shelters, soup kitchens, the leukemia ward of hospitals, and such like. Plan a trip to visit someone in one of these places. You don’t have to know the person to visit them.
Someone long ago said, “Love is not love until you give it away.” Perhaps, you will not notice your own loneliness, as much, if you are visiting someone else in a worse state than you. You don’t have to stay long. You don’t even have to say much or take a gift. It is just that fact that you stopped in to say hello. You were thinking of them and your presence is enough. Love is communicated by being there.
Lastly, remembering what Christmas is really about is able to do wonders for you. It is not about gifts, parties, trees, lights, drinking, etc., it is about love. God so loved the world that He gave….love isn’t love until given away. Give some love away this Christmas and find new meaning in the holiday season.
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