By Becca Cami
Edited By Anoosha Barua
The Holidays are considered a happy, or rather, “merry” time for most, however they can be a bit sugar-coated. Although there is so much to love about the holidays, it also brings out a lot of baggage which oftentimes takes a toll on people --teens especially.
The first matter is food. The Holidays are a time when food is always present. Aside from the obvious large dinners, there are also a lot of leftovers and thus, snacking. While, yes, the average American does gain weight during this time, the average gain is actually only 1lb. In addition to the countless meals, the impending stress of Finals causes many teens to cocoon into their rooms, studying and --of course-- eating. The constant snacking results in bloating, so although it will pass, at the moment it may feel as if you’ve gone up two pant sizes. Holiday “growing” is unavoidable for the most part, so, just know that it is not a forever thing and you’re not actually going to get “fat” from a few weeks of over-indulging. Find clothes that make you feel good no matter what.
Next, is family. Reunions can be exciting and they should be, but it is very common, and valid, to have second thoughts regarding the increased family time. Often, it can bring up old feuds memories of lost loved ones. Family knows you best, which means they also know every flaw and don’t hesitate to point them out; usually, these comments regard one’s body image. Whether you’ve gained weight, lost it, or haven’t changed at all, there will be something to be picked apart.
While suicide rates drop during the holidays, reports of depression and loneliness increase. Although summer tends to get most of the attention, the added family time and looming feats of The Holidays make winter a hard time when it comes to what we wear and how we feel about our bodies. Weather narrows down clothing options, “winter bod” gives way, gifting brings up economic issues or insecurities, and spray tans become a norm. Add this on top of school and familial stress and winter will seem like an impossible monster to conquer.
However, there are a few keys to stick by when the winter blues threaten to tighten their grasp on you:
-Take time for yourself. Find things that bring you joy and that you can use as an outlet and make time for it as a mental break from the world.
-Have someone you can rely on when times get tough. Talking through things, no matter how insignificant or small can really help lighten your load.
-Maintain your health when it comes to sleeping and eating. Often, how we feel about ourselves translates to how we feel about how we look, so find the joys in every day and find things you like about yourself.
-Relax. Take a break and chill. Whether you watch a movie, get a massage, or do a facemask, take some downtime to pamper yourself.
Winter --and The Holidays in general-- bring out the best and the worst in people. Appreciate what you have, and try not to fret over the small things. Not everything will be perfect, but nothing ever is. There is a lot to enjoy about winter so try to get through tougher times and know that it will pass!
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