What are Christmas blues?

What are Christmas blues?

A popular term for depression which is most common in those who are alone—without family, friends—or otherwise ‘disenfranchised’ during Christmas, a holiday traditionally shared with family members.

What was Christmas like in depression?

A common Christmas Day routine during the Depression consisted of waking up, opening what presents there were, then going to church. Afterward came Christmas dinner, either at home or at a relative’s house, where the men played cards, the kids just played, and the women cooked — usually chicken.

What did kids get for Christmas during the Great Depression?

One Christmas goodie that most of those attending had in common was that of an orange. For some, it was the only Christmas gift they received during the hard times surrounding the Great Depression. Others recalled dolls, homemade candy and other types of fruit.

What is post-holiday syndrome?

Post-holiday blues also referred to as post-vacation syndrome, can hit after the intense emotions and high stress levels of the holidays. Post-holiday depression shares many of the same symptoms of depression, including fatigue, feelings of sadness and loneliness, low mood, and difficulty concentrating.

Is Christmas blues a thing?

But for some people, it can be a period of painful reflection, sadness, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Even people who love the holidays can experience the blues during this busy season. The holidays are often a time of high emotion and demands, which can leave a lot of people feeling stressed and exhausted.

How do you beat Christmas blues?

Here are 10 tips for beating the post-Christmas blues.

  1. Make a plan. After the excitement of Christmas, going back to a regular, mundane routine is enough to lower anybody’s spirits.
  2. Exercise your funny bone.
  3. Brave your fears.
  4. Get active.
  5. Watch what you eat.
  6. Don’t be SAD.
  7. Be selfless.
  8. Perk up your social life.

How did people celebrate holidays in the Great Depression?

Families during the depression had it difficult, and they were grateful for food and shelter. They also appreciated having family and sharing time together during the holidays. Each family at a meal contributed what they had to Christmas dinner so it could be shared by everyone.

What was Christmas like in the 1940s?

Apparently the most popular Christmas present in 1940 was soap! With rationing, Christmas dinner became a triumph of ingenuity. Ingredients were hoarded weeks and even months in advance. Tea and sugar rations were increased at Christmas which helped families to create a festive meal.

How was Christmas celebrated in the 1920s?

In the 1920s, many families gathered for a big Christmas meal and to exchange gifts. The main feature would likely have been a roast goose or turkey. Fat hens and ducks were also popular in holiday meals. In the past, revelers would travel “over the river and through the woods” by horse-drawn sleigh or by buggy.

How does holiday affect mental health?

According to the American Psychological Association, 38% of people surveyed said their stress increased during the holiday season, which can lead to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. The reasons given: lack of time, financial pressure, gift-giving, and family gatherings.

What does January blues mean?

January blues is a situational depression and is associated with how we think and feel. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can affect people for a month at a time and doctors believe it is related to how the body responds to sunlight. They produce higher melatonin, causing lethargy and symptoms of depression.”

How do you handle Christmas blues?

How to pull through the Christmas Blues

  1. Be honest with yourself about how you are feeling.
  2. If you can only manage one thing, go for self care.
  3. Get into shades of grey.
  4. Push yourself to get out and be active.
  5. Consider volunteering.
  6. Forget presents, be present.
  7. Don’t just put up the tree, put up your boundaries.

Why is depression more common at Christmas?

Depression at Christmas time can be triggered by a multitude of things, such as losses, failures, and loneliness. These elements are exacerbated this time of year. People who have had deaths in the family or have experienced divorce or the loss of a child are more prone to depression, especially during the holiday season.

How do you deal with Christmas depression?

Whether dealing with a loss or change or simply feeling overwhelmed by holiday sadness, the number one most important thing anyone can do is to tell someone. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Over the past ten years there has been a great awakening, so to speak, that has illuminated the issue of Christmas depression.

Does Christmas make you feel lonely and depressed?

Instead of joy, love, and peace, the Christmas experience is filled with loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Maybe this is true for you. 3 Christians believe we were created with a need for relationship intimacy by a God who desires relationships with us.

What was Christmas like in 1938 during the Great Depression?

Have a look at what Christmas was like during the Great Depression. Christmas 1938 for these unemployed men was a shack with a barrel fire for warmth and a bare pine tree outside for decoration. Via/ Library of Congress “The cook on a fishing boat in Charleston, South Carolina, peeling potatoes for Christmas dinner.” 1938.

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