Post-Christmas anxiety: what it is and how to deal with it

We usually associate Christmas with a special period that, in some way, is disconnected from the rhythm and dynamics that we experience during the rest of the year. A few days that, even for many people who are not religious, mean conciliation, love, and in general, what predominates in calm contexts.

Considering this, it is not surprising that it is relatively common to suffer anxiety problems during the days and weeks after the Christmas holidays. In this article we will explore its characteristics, its possible causes, and what to do about this problem.

• Related article: "Types of Anxiety Disorders and their characteristics"

What is post-Christmas anxiety?

Post-Christmas anxiety consists of an excess of anxiety facilitated by the transition from the holiday period of the Christmas parties to the return to the routine. This rapid change from one situation to another is difficult for some people to manage, who have not been able to “Hone” your coping skills and prepare for a faster pace of life and competitive.

In any case, post-Christmas anxiety it is not in itself a psychopathological alteration, and therefore does not appear in the diagnostic manuals. However, it can be a form of discomfort serious enough to require professional help.

How to recognize this problem?

Post-Christmas anxiety it is expressed through the typical symptoms of anxiety when it reaches excessively high levels for the person (Taking into account that a certain degree of anxiety is not problematic and in fact it is a natural phenomenon in any healthy human being). The most common are the following:

• Trouble sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating on tasks
• Irritability and prone to frustration
• Greater muscle tension than normal
• Headaches
• Tendency to focus the mind towards pessimistic forecasts about what will happen
• Constant tired feeling
• Propensity to feel dizzy
• General malaise and muscle aches
• Increased heart rate
• Performing repetitive movements to deal with it stress (biting nails, pulling hair, etc.).

These symptoms come and go, appearing relatively frequently depending on the situations to which the person is exposed and the memories and thoughts that cross their mind.

Causes of this phenomenon

These are some of the factors that lead to the appearance of post-Christmas anxiety.

1. Back to work demands

After christmas already there is no contagious tendency to be understanding and conciliatory with others; This is especially noticeable in the workplace.

2. Feelings of guilt about expenses

After Christmas, the psychological effects of the marketing campaigns carried out on these dates disappear and the objective reality of the money spent on purchases and meals arrives. Becoming aware of this can be a severe emotional blow.

3. Trouble making ends meet

To the previous element we must add the problems that many people experience to spend the month with the money available in the bank account, that is, practical efforts to save.

4. Discomfort due to the modification of eating habits

After a few days of long, hearty meals, physical to emotional discomfort may develop (the poor diet favors inflammatory processes, and these, problems associated with anxiety and depression). Also, psychologically also It can be difficult to go from family meals that last several hours to a situation where you have half an hour to prepare something in the workday.

To do?

Post-Christmas anxiety does not usually escalate to psychological distress, and in most cases it clears itself in a matter of a few weeks. However, sometimes it is convenient to have psychotherapeutic support to adapt quickly to the new situation and develop necessary emotion management skills. On the other hand, if the discomfort lasts too long, this may indicate that there is a type of psychological alteration that does need to be addressed in the psychologist's office before it becomes chronic.

Do you want to have professional psychological assistance?

If you are looking for psychotherapy services to better overcome or cope with some type of emotional discomfort that affects you in your day-to-day life, get in touch with us. On Psychomaster We serve people of all ages and offer therapy for individuals, families and couples. The sessions can be face-to-face at our center located in Madrid, or online via video call.

Bibliographic references:

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• Peiró, J.M. (1993). Triggers of Work Stress. Madrid: Eudema.
• Persson, P. B. & Zakrisson, A. (2016): Stress. Acta Physiologica, 216 (2): pp. 149-152.
• Segerstrom, S.C.; Miller, G.E. (2017). Psychological Stress and the Human Immune System: A Meta-Analytic Study of 30 Years of Inquiry. Psychological Bulletin. 130 (4): pp. 601 - 630.
• Sylvers, P.; Lilienfeld, S.O.; LaPrairie, J.L. (2011). Differences between trait fear and trait anxiety: implications for psychopathology. Clinical Psychology Review. 31 (1): pp. 122 - 137.