For some, the holidays have them singing the blues
In order to truly unwrap this holiday depression, first one must understand what the holidays are all about. Often associated by an abundance of gifts, the smell of home cooked meals, and long lines to visit Santa at every mall across the nation; the holidays have become a materialistic celebration.
“Many people begin to forget that the holiday season is a state of mind rather than a select few weeks from the calendar,” said Cayla McMicheal, a sophomore GCSU student.
“People should not wait for a certain day of the year to spend time with family and friends,” said McMicheal. “Joy and cheer can be spread any time of the year.”
Much like McMicheal, Susan Hendley, GCSU’s assistant director of counseling services, sees the holiday season as a “time to enjoy by doing things that are healthy and good; such as, resting, walking, and contacting people you have not recently seen.”
“The best gift you can give is time and attention,” Hendley said.
Although the true meaning of the holidays are supposed to create a loving environment, the Holiday Blues seems to creep into the lives of students through two prominent trigger points, which are relationships and finances.
Even though relationships are considered to be one trigger point, there are so many different types within this category that it becomes difficult to balance friends, significant others, and family without including any other trigger points.
“I enjoy going home to visit my family, but I also enjoy spending time with the new family that I have created here at school,” said Julia Allen, a GCSU sophomore.
“It leaves me feeling unsure whether I want to be with the old (biological family) or the new (college family). I feel a pull between the two; however, I know that balance, or at least as balanced as possible, is the key to my struggle,” Allen said.
“College students have such a bifurcated life,” said Hendley, “that the separate expectations for home and here (GCSU) becomes hard to juggle and creates stress.”
In addition to relationships, students are constantly bombarded with the need for finances.
“It cost lots of cash to be here so students find themselves having to be creative about what they do for the holidays,” Hendley said.
“It is great for students [and all people] to take their winter break to do volunteer work and give back by spending time with others,” Hendley said. “However, this should not be restricted to only the holiday season.”
There is more to life than always receiving and as a college community there should be a want to give back to the communities that have supported us. With a mentality like this, there should be a lowered stress level during the holiday season.
However, there is no doubt that there are many other trigger points that may be the cause of the Holiday Blues. The following are tips where compiled by Hendley to assist those who feel that they need a positive boost to make it cheerfully through the holidays.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Dec 5 2008. Filed under News.
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