It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Bright lights, colorful decorations, as well as gifts and food all around us. These are traditions that many people enjoy during these festivities. People enjoy getting together with friends and families, recognizing that socialization is part of our nature. Social relationships play an important role in our life: sharing joy and sadness, and evaluating how we perceive others and how they perceive us. In some way, we need friendships in order to share our feelings and thoughts, as well as to have a good mental health.
Last year, many people around us experienced the loss of their jobs, struggled with their finances, not to mention the end of their marriages. This was a direct result of the difficulty our society had fulfilling the basic necessities of life. It was definitely a difficult year for many families, however, if we look back, each year was filled with different problems that needed different solutions. Many times the solutions did not come as easily or quickly as we would have liked them to. I have heard many people say “there is peace after the storm” and in some ways this is true. After a problem is resolved we always feel a sense of relief.
In mental health however; anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions will show symptoms even after the problem seemingly finds a solution. Some of these symptoms show up as sadness and people continue their daily routine without noticing that depression is guiding their actions. A common symptom during this period is isolation. Hiding out is sometimes a relief for those that are experiencing struggles during the holidays because it is a way of avoiding questions and looking within themselves during a difficult time. Although this might seem like a solution, we need to realize that there are gifts that money cannot buy. A sincere and loyal friend is one of them. Learning how to value social relationships as well as accepting differences and diversity can be one of the greatest things in life. Being around of people that are positive will do wonders for the soul.
No matter how big or difficult the problems might seem, remember there will be a tomorrow. Concentrate on what is really important in your life. Show love, live with passion, care about others and laugh as many times as possible! This is the best gift you can give to yourself during this wonderful time of the year!
Yasmin Lugo, Ph.D., Intervention Services, Inc
