Ms. Cappuccino I was reading this Time magazine article about how the holidays are actually not the happiest time of the year. Apparently, a lot of people end up feeling more depressed and lonely.
This makes sense, as there's always the tactless aunt to remind you that you're single, the financially savvy uncle to remind you that you're broke, and the conveniently placed platter of cookies to remind you to gain weight. As though you needed a reminder!
Another interesting observation is that women get a lot more stressed than men. I admit, my mother stressed me out, but it annoys me that my brother doesn't get as stressed. What's going on here? Psychologists polled both sexes doing the same activities, visiting their parents, going to holiday parties, etc etc, and across the board, women were more stressed.
So, are you really at your happiest doing the holidays? How do you handle the crazy relatives? What do you do when you need to take five from it all?
Comments (9)
women are probably more stressed because they are left to do everything for the holidays (i.e. shopping, cooking, etc.) and the men sit back and relax.
I was definitely more stressed this holiday season then my boyfriend. On top of the gift shopping and cooking, it probably doesn't help that I work in retail, so work is horrible too.
I hate the holidays. Too much stress.
I usually sit somewhere and read a trashy novel or a magazine. Something light and easy.
i bet the least stressful time is summer time
i hate the holidays. it's fun at certain times, but it makes me feel :( overall.
im a stress girl tht is what people say, well i think i stress a lot as well
as in the truth that goes away from giving..
i think also why people are more stressed is the lack of responsibility of organizing family events during the holidays. as in, they're divorced or loved ones have passed away and now, more than ever, they're reminded of it.
for me, i think it's stressful finding the right gifts for my family. but when i'm set, i like helping set up for the holidays (decorations, cooking). it's actually quite relaxing busying myself this way as opposed to the usual mundane schoolwork. i can't say the same for my mom, however, because she might feel she has to head the christmas dinner and buy the food and decorations. additionally, holidays seem a lot more stressful and depressed when someone's recently passed away.