Family and traditions, the real Merry Christmas

At this time, viruses increase above 60% in the emergency unit consultation, it is common. Climate changes is the explanation. But be careful, the low mood, which affects three out of five people, at this time, is also added, among the causes.

“There are some pictures of depression or discouragement, typical of this season, and scientifically, it has been documented that the emotional situation alters the immune system, there is a drop in defenses and the body is more exposed to attacks by viruses or germs”says the doctor, Sandra Losada, coordinator of the Medicine, Mind and Body Program, of the Medical Center.

The specialist explains that the season is conducive to sudden temperature changes and the exa
detection of viruses, only that they find a more fertile ground in organisms with a weakened defense system.

“Consultations for “viral infections” increase above 60%, because you were exposed to a sudden change in temperature and, coincidentally, you are facing that ‘mood slump’ of the December season, which puts the immune system in check”reiterates Dr. Losada.

Christmas is a special time that always comes loaded with emotions for everyone, children and adults. “Seasonal movies end up idealizing their perception to the point that, sometimes, seeing how far they are from reality, adults end up leaving the Christmas illusion in the hands of children and embracing depression as faithful company”says Esteban Jaramillo, motivator and lecturer.

According to Jaramillo, figures for job stress in Colombia show that more than 40% of workers are affected by this variable, on Christmas and New Year’s Eve dates.

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The speaker says that the peak easily exceeds this value, thereby increasing the chances of depression, an affectation that according to the World Health Organization, WHO, affects some 350 million people in the world.

For Jaramillo, the program of Mind and Body Medicine, from the Medical Centerhas been presenting a constant annual growth rate in consultations for depression and prolonged stress, in this season of the end of the year, in which the profound affectation of the state of mind is clearly identified.

According to specialists, there are trigger factors for depressive states of mind. The end of the year is the time of balance sheets and they are not always positive, debts are another stress factor, the economic burden that also means family and social commitments, gifts, meetings.

“At this time, the absence of those who are no longer at home is felt in a special way, that is to say that there are multiple factors that add up to bring nostalgia and affect the state of mind”says Dr. Losada.

“Christmas is strongly influenced by commercial sense and the media that paints dinners, ostentatious gatherings, and large gifts as ideal models that do not correspond to our reality”says Jaramillo.

For the speaker, it is necessary to return to the traditions of the family, as absolutely effective tools in controlling sadness, anguish, impotence when not being able to meet expectations, anxiety and discouragement, among others.

“Aspects such as the forced consumerism, the hypocrisy they feel at the time, the need to buy gifts and attend multiple social events having to show the best face, increase the fear of frustration and the need for ostracism,” Jaramillo asserts.

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For the speaker, it is important to take stock of our year finding the moments of family union, with friends, those of joy and celebration, of generosity and fullness, regardless of what days of the year they occurred. Collecting those good things that we had during the year allow us to keep our spirits up and remove all signs of sadness and despondency.

“Besides – says Esteban Jaramillo – even if work commitments are unavoidable, we are the owners of our experience and living it, so we have every right to innovate and decide what we want to do with Christmas, without putting our emotional stability at stake or disrespecting our environment”He says.