For most Filipinos, the Holiday season is a time to relax and have fun. Pinoy households treat Christmas and New Year celebrations as the year-end pasabog that helps everyone destress before another year starts. It&rsquo;s already a party with budots music on blast, but pair it with free-flowing beer and the prized lechon, and your guests will surely have a good time.
Although the festivities come with joyful moments, they can also bring a wave of sadness or anxiety. These &lsquo;holiday blues&rsquo; are real, and they&rsquo;ll hit you like a truck. You&rsquo;ll find yourself not feeling &ldquo;the spirit of Christmas&rdquo; anymore due to the pressure of expectations, loneliness, or even financial stress.&nbsp;
If you find yourself feeling down during &ldquo;-ber months,&rdquo; you're not alone. Nevertheless, there are still ways to help you cope with the holiday blues.
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings
It&rsquo;s okay not to feel festive all the time. Sure, it&rsquo;s supposed to be merry, but we can&rsquo;t always be that. Sometimes, we pressure ourselves to be cheerful or busy, but it&rsquo;s important to recognize and accept how we feel. Taking time to acknowledge your emotions can help you manage them better. If you need to talk about it, don&rsquo;t hesitate to reach out to someone you trust.
2. Take It Easy
The holidays can bring overwhelming schedules. Everyone wants to see everyone, so parties are expected. And with that comes the dreaded Christmas shopping rush we tend to put off at the last minute. Although this is the norm, it&rsquo;s also important to pace yourself and set boundaries. If you don&rsquo;t feel like it, then you don&rsquo;t have to do everything. Simplify your plans and say no to things that feel too much. It&rsquo;s okay to have quiet moments for yourself.
3. Create New Traditions
If you&rsquo;re feeling sad about missing loved ones and doing old traditions with them, consider starting new ones. You could cook a special meal for yourself, spend time outside, or even join others in spending Christmas. Shifting the focus to activities you enjoy can bring a sense of purpose and joy.
Remember, it&rsquo;s normal to have ups and downs. Such a busy and emotional time can make you feel easily overwhelmed. However, by being patient with yourself and handling your emotions well, you can make the holidays more manageable. A shot of beer wouldn&rsquo;t hurt, too!