- The constant increases in the prices of the majority of products have increased the levels of stress in the population in the face of the following Christmas.
- For the same reason, now families must allocate more resources to acquire some essential items such as basic food baskets.
- During the final part of each year the phenomenon known as white or December depression is generated.
One of the most colorful times of the year is about to happen. It is Christmas and although one of the objectives is to generate fraternity between people, sometimes it has the opposite effect that ends in high levels of stress. In the same way, the current panorama marked by the pandemic that has not yet disappeared must be considered. In fact, in recent months a rebound has been detected worldwide.
The good and bad of Christmas
In this sense, the December season usually generates mixed feelings in a large part of the population. In the first instance, it is a season that works to bring family and friends together. From the previous parties marked by the posadas to the Christmas dinner, they are a pretext to foster personal relationships.
On the other hand, it is also a date that not everyone likes. Especially since it is linked to consumerism and exaggerated purchases of products. During the last month of the year it is common to see shopping centers at their maximum capacity. Although it is a way of promoting trade, it also affects people’s pockets.
In fact, Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a general increase in the prices of most products. For the same reason, now families must allocate more resources to acquire some essential items such as basic food baskets.
All of the above has generated a global phenomenon and it is about the high levels of stress during Christmas. But although it affects all countries, there are some where the concern is greater.
Global concern during the final part of the year
On this subject the consultancy Ipsos carried out an international study in which 12 countries participated. The first result obtained was positive. The average of 85% of the entire population stated that they felt enthusiastic about the Christmas celebrations and even a third said they were more excited than last year.
However, that enthusiasm clashes with the level of stress that people feel in the current inflationary context. The work resumed by Statista It showed that, on average, close to nine out of ten respondents said they felt stressed by the impact of price increases, and 55% are more so than last year.
By dividing by country, it was obtained that Romania is the nation with the most people who feel stress during the Christmas season because 74% have high worry.
For its part, in second position is Italy with 65% and then the Philippines with 63%. In the case of Latin America, Chile appears with 46% and Brazil with 28%.
This level of stress will undoubtedly define what the following Christmas will be like. In fact, half of those surveyed expect rising costs to have a significant impact on their purchases.
Finally, this situation is also related to another even more serious one and it is white or December depression. It is about the development of pictures of sadness and suicidal thoughts, which increase alarmingly at the end of each year. As a result of the above, it is during the Christmas season that the highest suicide rate in the world is recorded.
Also read:
Christmas, the time of year with more suicides. Take care of your patients!
Christmas depression, the serious health problem that you should avoid in your patients
How to prevent the “white depression” during the holidays