4 reasons to avoid stress during Tet (Lunar New Year).

Family reunions during Tet (Lunar New Year) allow family members to spend more time together, but they are also a major reason for conflicts, alongside financial pressures and household chores.

Holidays are generally considered times of happiness and joy. However, for some people, holidays can bring sadness, loneliness, and stress. This psychological state is called "holiday depression"—a phenomenon that has yet to be definitively understood by the scientific community.

So why do holidays, which are supposed to improve health, lead to mental breakdown? Dr. Tran Thi Hong Thu, Deputy Director of Mai Huong Day Psychiatric Hospital, identifies four common reasons for stress during Tet (Lunar New Year), as follows:

Family reunion

First, the tension stems from the very act of family reunion. During Tet (Lunar New Year), family members spend more time together. This is wonderful, but at certain times, excessive interaction can easily lead to conflicts related to lifestyles and behaviors.

"For example, questions like 'When are you getting married, when are you having children...?' unintentionally put pressure on the other person. This can lead to feelings of irritation and frustration, easily causing stress."

For couples whose children work far from home, the decision of whether to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) with the husband's or wife's family, and the duration of the visit, can become a source of conflict if not handled skillfully. Disagreements between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, conflicting views on life, or differences in parenting styles can also cause significant tension.

The problem of cleaning the house.

Cooking, entertaining guests, and cleaning the house during Tet (Lunar New Year) may seem like minor tasks, but they can sometimes lead to conflict. In reality, most families will have gatherings with relatives, friends, and colleagues for meals and drinks, often involving alcohol. "If families know how to balance and share household chores, conflicts won't arise. However, if only the woman is busy with cooking, cleaning, and tidying up after endless drinking sessions with the men, conflicts can occur," Dr. Thu explained.

Lonely

In contrast to family reunions, loneliness can be a common feeling. Many people experience feelings of isolation while other families gather together, easily leading to stress. Those celebrating Tet away from home for the first time, unable to return, may feel lost and depressed.

Financial pressure

As Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches, we tend to overspend on shopping and gifts, leading many to face financial pressure. In reality, the workload doubles or triples compared to normal days, coupled with deadlines that must be met before Tet to welcome the new year, overwhelming everyone. At the same time, women have to shoulder additional household chores, prepare Tet meals, and buy gifts for both sides of the family, all of which require significant time and effort, leading to physical fatigue and mental stress. Not to mention, the tradition of giving lucky money can easily lead to overspending.

People buy tickets to return home for Tet at My Dinh Bus Station ( Hanoi ). Photo: Pham Chieu

Overall, many other family conflicts can arise during Tet. When stressed, people tend to sleep more or less than usual, lose interest, have difficulty concentrating, often feel lonely, are irritable, and prefer to be alone.

If this situation persists, it can seriously affect mental health, paving the way for various problems such as depression and anxiety disorders. Many people abuse alcohol and stimulants, leading to more severe memory impairment.

According to Doctor Thu, there are many ways to prevent stress during Tet (Lunar New Year), including accepting your emotions instead of hiding them, which can worsen the situation.

"This means you don't necessarily have to be happy; allow yourself to express your emotions, even cry, or confide in those around you to understand each other better," the doctor said.

If you feel lost and lonely, take the initiative to connect with others. You can also put aside any grievances until a more appropriate time to discuss them, and be understanding if others seem annoyed or ask questions you don't like. Instead, think positively: "Everyone has their own perspective, or maybe they just want to show you more care."

Before shopping for Tet (Lunar New Year), try to calculate how much money you can afford to spend, then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy short-term happiness with unnecessary items only to end up paying off debt for months. You also shouldn't feel guilty if you give less money as New Year's gifts to relatives.

Maintain healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, practicing deep breathing exercises, and avoiding excessive alcohol and tobacco use. You should also regulate your time on social media to avoid being overwhelmed by stressful information.

If, despite your efforts, you still feel sad, tired, sleepless, or hopeless for an extended period (approximately 4-6 weeks), or if this condition recurs over many years and worsens, you should seek help from a mental health professional.

Thuy Quynh

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/4-ly-do-gay-cang-thang-ngay-tet-nen-tranh-4702643.html