Extravagant spending and parties may not be enough to charge the battery of 2023
Christmas as we knew it before Covid was a time filled with festivities, color and laughter. It was a time to exchange gifts, buy new clothes for the children, and host extended family members at their own expense, so everyone could enjoy the fun. Fast forward three years in and out of Covid, and we are in an economy and a time where we need to be prudent with our spending habits and mental health.
Between spending money on shopping deals, reconnecting with friends, home renovations, and visits to the beach, it’s critical that we learn to be mindful of the choices we make during this time that contribute to our mental health, in the name of “Ke Dezemba boss ”.
Research shows that 38% of people experience health problems and many will feel some form of anxiety and depression during the festive season, due to financial pressures and trying to keep up with the social expectations created around this season. . Unfortunately, this is a reality or a truth that we are still learning to address: taking care of mental health in different aspects of life was not fully understood or talked about in the past.
One of the things to keep in mind is that mental health is a 365-day practice; it should not depend on dopamine and serotonin release peaks, because our decisions are being driven by the euphoria of this holiday season. Yes, we’ve been through a lot in recent years, and we should be honored and celebrated for making it to the end of the year, but it’s crucial for us to examine how we’re doing.
Don’t let the pop-the-bottle, shop-til-you-drop culture during this period derail you and make you feel or think you’re not doing enough to celebrate the end of the year. In fact, the way you choose to celebrate Christmas and the festive season may not allow you to rejuvenate your soul for the new year; it can actually make you feel more anxious.
If you know you can’t afford that leg of lamb and expensive outing, be honest with everyone. See how everyone can contribute to building memories together, remembering that this is a time of Thanksgiving and how we keep going despite the challenging year many of us had.
To really reconnect and take care of your mental health even more, try spending a day or two detoxifying and realigning with yourself, as you put 2022 behind you and prepare to start the new year.
Remember that happiness should not depend on how much you spend or showing your friend that you have “made it”. Every year is different and we need to be intentional about anything that affects our mental health, even in the silly season.
love light
Sithembsio Mkhwanazi
