'Christmas Spirit'

Gifts, sweets, carols, exchanging wishes and happy family gatherings around the decorated tree. Or is it also feeling stress and depression?

Christmas is the most glamorous and festive time of year, which is ideal for family gatherings, relaxing and having fun. If you ask ten people what the Christmas spirit is, you'll probably get  seven to eight different answers. Some people say that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus. Some people say that it's a pagan festival, or worshipping the sun, because of the days starting to get longer. Some people say it's a chance for all the family to get together, and others just a good excuse to have a few days off work, binge out and get drunk. Some people say that it's all about showing kindness to those more needy than yourself. Going beyond those different answers, there is something that makes people more selfless, more friendly, more kind, and generally much nicer people at Christmas.

Τhroughout the world people are looking for real Christmas. the Christmas they remember from their childhood. The nostalgic sweet secure memories, which seem to be lost in today’s stressful society. We have certainly lost some of that spirit, being overly pre-occupied with the commercial side and overlooking the real elements which make Christmas the nostalgic occasion it is.

Nowadays when we think of Christmas all we think is of all the gifts were going to buy and what we really want for Christmas. What happened to the concept of simply being with family, singing Christmas carols, putting up the tree, baking cookies, going to church on Christmas eve and Christmas day? The gifts don't matter its about being with family, celebrating, and being in the true Christmas spirit.

While the holiday season brings sentiments of joy and celebration for some, for others it is a time of isolation and an increase in feelings of depression and negative thoughts. Christmas depression hits millions of people every year. This is understandable as Christmas is  a period of frenetic activity, a time when people are trying to juggle work, an increase in social obligations, shopping, decorating, wrapping, entertaining and staying on budget. All this leads to a rise in both physical and emotional stress. This is also a time of reflection, as the year nears its end. A time when others look back and see the losses they incurred ? loss of a loved one through death, divorce or separation, loss of a job, or even loss of familiar social environment (as in having moved away from home).

'The gifts don't matter its about being with family, celebrating, and being in the true Christmas spirit.'

Keep in mind what is really important. Christmas isn’t about gorgeous decorations, insanely happy families and expensive gifts. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to be perfect or feel ecstatically happy. The stores, commercials, malls, TV shows and radio advertisements turn Christmas into a merchandising cash cow – they also make Christmas about being flawless and full of glitter. Don’t fall into that pit of despair, which will send you headlong into an even deeper Christmas depression.

Start New Traditions. If you’ve lost someone you love and this is the first Christmas without them, let yourself grieve naturally. Christmas depression or holiday blues is a normal way to feel – as long as it doesn’t last for months afterward. Starting new traditions is a good way to lift your spirits and focus your energy outside yourself.

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, reach out to someone whether it is a friend, a relative, or a professional,  Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. A bad moment does not have to ruin a future. Unfortunately people who find themselves depressed and do nothing about it are prone to staying depressed.

'there is something that makes people more selfless...,  ...and generally much nicer people at Christmas.'

A Christmas depression is usually more than just a simple case of the holiday blues, and it really should be treated with more respect than that. It is better to go to a counsellor and have them tell you that you just have the “blues” and it will pass than to sit on a serious depression and slowly watch your world around you disassemble. A holiday depression requires attention, especially one that develops annually. While it may seem logical to believe that because it happens every year that it will just keep leaving every year isn’t logic that should be counted on when help is so readily available.

All of us pretty much, have experienced both sides of Christmas, the bright and beautiful, as well as the dark side as life is full of unexpected changes and surprises. But most importantly it brings a new year, which could be a new start that gives us all strength and hope to continue our life’s  journey and make all our dreams come true.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!