Holiday season can bring stress and mental health concerns, say medical experts

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral)—The holiday season is billed as a time of good cheer, glad tidings, and quality time spent with friends and family. However, it can also be the most stressful time of the year.

According to Behavioral Health experts, this time of year can be tough for anyone and be especially hard for those dealing with mental health issues.

Bob Cooper, South Texas Health Systems Behavioral Director of Utilization Review, explained that many issues arise that make the holidays so difficult.

“There’s a lot of interaction with people we don’t necessarily want to interact with all the time," Cooper said. "We get the people that travel in to see us for the holiday, and there have been some conflicts in the past with our family, and so we’re forced to see people we don’t necessarily want to see as much.”

On the flip side of that coin, Cooper said this time of year can also bring about feelings of loneliness. If loved ones are far away the holidays just do not feel the same.

“I moved down here to the Valley from up north. My closest relative is 17 hours away, and I’m not going to see them for Christmas or New Year’s," he said. "So that can be stressful as well. You just kind of feel isolated and alone. Unlike how you did in the past when you did have someone close around you.”

Cooper pointed out that one of the areas where some stressors may come up is when people place too much pressure on themselves, trying to create the perfect holiday setting.

Feeling especially disappointed when not everything goes exactly according to plan. He said everyone wants to live in a "Christmas card" but just cannot do that.

The holidays are also a time when families are spending more money than they would normally. For those already feeling a financial strain, this time of year can add to those worries.

“Being asked to participate in other things that you may not want to participate in, like some of the exchange things at work. If you’re having financial problems already, you’re being asked to stretch a little bit more, and that’s kind of difficult," Cooper said.

For those dealing with mental health issues, the stressful nature of the holiday season can be felt even more. Individuals dealing with depression may not feel as if they can participate in the festivities the way they'd like to, or in the way others expect them to.

Cooper said the bed, the couch, and TV are three things those dealing with issues such as depression might want to avoid. He said getting out and being around others can help ease those symptoms and provide a sense of accomplishment.

He stressed that being around others is not necessarily what helps, but being active and trying new activities.

Cooper added the holiday season is a great time to try new things. Almost every town across the Valley has a tree-lighting event, parade, musical events, and faith-based activities that can help people connect with others.