Healthy Holidays: Balancing Celebration with Mental Health Care 

The holiday season is marked with a time of togetherness, celebration and rejoice when people embrace their vibrant traditions and religious festivals. Whether it’s Diwali, Eid, Christmas or the New Year’s, the streets come alive with the lights, enthusiasm and a sense of community. Yet, for many, this season can bring along anxiety, loneliness and emotional fatigue.

The overwhelming nature of constant celebrations, the weight of social obligations and the pressure to meet expectations can take a toll on mental health. India’s cultural diversity plays a significant role in shaping the way holidays are celebrated and experienced. With multitudes of festivals holding their own rituals and significance spread throughout the year, mental health during the holiday season becomes an ongoing cycle of emotional highs and lows. 

Pressure to be “Picture Perfect” 

The holidays are often synonymous with grand family gatherings, hearty elaborate meals and a sense of togetherness which can bring pressure, particularly for those who may not have close family members nearby or others who are going through personal struggles such as unemployment, relationship issues or loss of a loved one. The expectations to be cheerful, generous and emotionally present can be overwhelming.

For example, there’s heightened emphasis on buying new clothes, preparing spread of sweets and exchanging gifts during Diwali while Christmas brings with it expectations around family reunions, decorating homes and hosting delightful dinners. There is an unsaid pressure to conform to family and societal expectations; from being “the perfect host” for the “Diwali parties” and “Secret Santa’s eve” to engaging in social media-worthy celebrations. This disconnect between the public image of a festive, perfect holiday and the private struggles can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy, isolation and anxiety.

Mental Well-being: Far from Home 

Loneliness is often seen as one of the most difficult emotional struggles people face during the holiday season. Despite being a country known for its strong familial ties and close-knit communities, many young adults experience a sense of isolation during the holidays while working in metropolitan cities away from home. People living away from their families find themselves excluded from the celebrations, leading to sadness and homesickness. Missing out on the joy of family gatherings, shared meals, festive decorations, and the comforting presence of parents, siblings, and close friends may lead to a profound disconnection among students and young adults living in other countries. Older adults may experience a sense of abandonment, particularly if their children live in other cities or countries and cannot visit during the holidays. 

Social Media: The Double-Edged Sword 

During the holidays, social media can both alleviate and amplify feelings of loneliness where platforms like Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp present an idealized version of festive life that can lead to social comparisons and fear of missing out (FOMO). People often share photos and updates about the celebration, the social gathering where individuals measure their own experiences against the seemingly perfect lives of others. Seeing others celebrate festivals, attending gatherings and engaging in traditional activities can lead individuals to feel left out of the perceived festive spirit or like they aren’t “doing enough” to celebrate. 

Work Stress and Holiday Fatigue 

Many holidays also coincide with the year-end work pressures. Young professionals in urban centres face long working hours when they try to meet deadlines, manage client expectations and complete unfinished projects. While holidays are supposed to be a time of relaxation, work-related stress can make individuals feel guilty about taking time off from responsibilities or fear decreased job performance in this “hustle culture”.

It can interfere with the ability to enjoy family time and festive celebrations (World Mental Health Day 2023: Why Festive Seasons Are Hard for People With Stress and Anxiety?, 2023).

How to maintain Mental Health during the Holidays? 

• Set realistic expectations: We should understand that no holiday season is going to be perfect. One should let go of the idea of meeting societal expectations regarding gift-giving or hosting large parties and set realistic expectations to enjoy the experience to its fullest.
• Practice Self-Care: It’s crucial to carve out time for self-care in the middle of the chaos of any celebrations or festivities. Indulging in a favourite hobby, meditating, engaging in activities that recharge you mentally and physically as simple as taking a walk, can control healthy mental well-being. Setting boundaries without feeling guilty and taking time off from things is also a way of performing self-care and protecting one’s mental health. 
• Time Management and prioritizing what’s important: It’s okay to delegate tasks and responsibilities to avoid feeling overwhelmed by creating a schedule that allows for downtime and relaxation. Saying no to commitments that don’t align with one’s priorities can help in maintaining mental health. 
• Ask for Social Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or mental health professionals when there are feelings of isolation or anxiety. Choose the social events and prioritize quality time with family and friends who support you and uplift your mental health.
• Digital Detox: Limit screen time and avoid scrolling through social media for long hours which will help in focusing on real-life connections and experiences. Everyone should acknowledge the fact that social media is a platform where users primarily display the positive aspects of their lives and real life is always a rollercoaster of experiences (Narayana Health, n.d.). 

Conclusion

The holiday season is a time to celebrate but it’s also an opportunity to prioritise mental health. Everyone should acknowledge the challenges that come with the holidays, may it be family dynamics, financial stress, loneliness or work-related pressures. It is crucial taking care of oneself during the festive season is just as important as participating in the celebrations. Embracing a more balanced and mindful approach can help prevent holiday burnout and maintain emotional resilience while safeguarding one’s mental health and emotional well-being.