December 2, 2023
Written/Edited by: Fidha Chowdhury & Shaleishka Rodriguez
Have you ever?
Have you ever felt a little blue during the holidays? During what are the most wonderful times of the year, it doesn’t always feel so magical. There are several holidays during the year from different cultures all across the world with expectations attached. The “holiday blues” are the negative emotions we feel during the holidays, typically for a short period of time that is triggered by stressful circumstances, memories associated, and unrealistic expectations. These reasons contribute to the “holiday blues” but let’s explore the science of it all.
Why during the winter holidays?
Melatonin is a hormone secreted in our bodies as soon as it gets dark. During the winter the shorter amount of daylight contributes to the disruption of melatonin levels, these disruptions are linked to changes of mood and sleep patterns. The shorter amounts of daylight also constricts people from getting much needed amounts of natural sunlight.
Not only are the patterns of our bodies being warped, the stress of the holidays impact us as well. A lot of people scramble around during the holidays. It’s hard to find time to go shopping and many people worry about their financial situations. Oftentimes a negative or once happy memory connected to a holiday could affect the way people perceive it. There are several explanations for the “holiday blues”, so it’s what some people feel around the world throughout any holiday.
Statistics
Most Americans are 5 times more likely to be more stressed during the holidays rather than during the holidays (41% compared to 7%) (American Psychiatric Association, 2021).
Data from 2021 also suggests that there are especially many concerns regarding affording gifts (46%) and contracting illness (38%) (American Psychiatric Association, 2021).
According to a study done by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 68% of participants are especially stressed about the financial strain caused by the holidays (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2014).
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