The pressure to be happy/have fun at this time of year

KDII

Not sure if there has been a thread on this recently.. had a look through the last few pages and couldn't see anything.

I thought with all the pressure of this time of year it could be worth getting a discussion going over mental health, the pressures that can come with Christmas and the notion that everyone else in the entire world is eating mince pies, shredding through wrapping paper and toasting to all the good times with their loved ones. Our society is becoming more aware of the latent mental health issues underpinning it. I think its important that we're mindful of these issues at this time of year. There's also the added pressure of more alcohol, finances, expectation.. You name it. It can be tough, and we need to acknowledge and accept that.

I've felt the festive pressure before. Christmas has, at times for me, served only to make me aware of how far I felt I was slipping behind my peers. I've felt so crippled with anxiety on Christmas morning that I couldn't open my presents that my lovely Mum had wrapped for me. I've pulled out of a family trip at the very last minute (that my parents had gifted myself and the siblings) because I just couldn't do it. I could barely take a shower, never mind find my way to the airport. My Mum was very upset and worried about me that year. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that it's OK to struggle through Christmas, even when you really really want to enjoy it- on some level at least. Just do as much as you can, even if that's not engage at all. Just make sure you're loved ones know that you are safe.

I have worked the last few Christmas weeks away from home. I'm a nurse and I think being exposed to so much sadness, illness and loneliness during the festive season has made me more aware of it. Last year, one of my patients managed to slip out of his chair after his depressing but well-meaning hospital turkey dinner. I found him sitting on the floor; his paper hat from the cracker someone had pulled with him still on his head. I sat with him for a while on the ground, and he had a bit of a cry. I get it, I've had the same (albeit metaphorical) fall.*


This year, I'm in a better place. I'm flying home on Christmas Eve and am hoping to have a nice few days. I'm grateful that my family and loved ones will be with me and that I'm feeling well enough to enjoy them. However, I'm also looking forward to the start of January and the renewed (if short-lived) sense of purpose it usually brings.

*He got to go home in early January

osarusan

Was in Limerick City centre over the weekend doing some Christmas shopping with my kids. Lots of families out and about on a bright day, nice smells from food stalls, buskers doing their thing...and then there was a helicopter overhead searching for somebody who jumped into into the Shannon off the Sarsfield Bridge the day before.

I said to my kids that he'd fallen in, and they were asking how that could happen with the high railings (especially high when you're a kid) and all I could tell them I didn't know, and to always be careful near rivers.

Stonedpilot

Only pressure from the media and advertising (which is designed to make you feel like crap so you buy their products, interestingly fashion and beauty magazines use glossy paper so you see your reflection in the magazine in comparison to the stunning photoshopped model and feel a urge to buy the product subconsciously looking at the page, all psychology). It's all designed to sell nonsense and a nonsense ideal of christmas.
Christ look at any ad on TV, one particular one drives me mad it's so ridiculous, like 40 members of the one family who interestingly change houses several times during the ad all being fed on one turkey!. Of course everyone is ecstatic in the ad. All nonsense, utter nonsense.

c68zapdsm5i1ru

Part of the problem is that it goes on for so long. The relentless pressure starts in September, is hyped up even more in October, and by late November has nearly reached fever pitch.

It's no wonder that people become stressed, anxious and depressed about the whole business. There's so much invested in that one day, and if everything isn't 'perfect', it's a disaster, and everyone else must be having a much better time.

Then everything falls completely flat in January and people are going around miserable because there's 'nothing to look forward to'.

Dravokivich

There can be quite a lot of pressure points alright. From a social aspect alluded to in the OP and a commercial aspect just above.

To me though, I've always seen it as being a bit of a relief period at the end of the year where a lot of people seem to have an opportunity to take some time out.

_Kaiser_

Honestly I don't think it feels like Christmas at all this year.

I have the presents for the little fella sorted but that's about it in terms of festivities. I'm more concerned about surviving the next 5/6 weeks till payday

s4uv3

I usually get very anxious this time of year, and wake up on St. Stephens day like a new woman. I just don't "get" Christmas. There's such a build up, such a rush, so much busyness, and for what? Why?
Christmas week is torturous at work, (retail) and I get 2 days off, it's just a load of nonsense to me!

5rtytry56

It's Stressmas ffs. :rolleyes::o