‘Most wonderful time of the year’: Holiday solace not a universal sentiment

Trent Akers, mental health therapist at Psynergy health and wellness centre in Medicine Hat, stressed the significance of one’s environment when it comes to emotions.

“We look at this from a perspective called dialectical behavior therapy. A lot of times I’ll tell my clients, don’t think about music or the environment for the mood that you’re in,” he said.

“Think about it for the mood that you want to be in. So for them if they have positive memories, positive associations with Christmas, setting up those lights or being in areas that evoke those kind of memories, those kind of sensations.”

Christmas decorations can act as a distraction or form of encouragement with the holiday season arriving. Akers says this can be a positive output for some, but not for everyone.

Those who choose to not participate or celebrate may have associations or experiences regarding Christmas that have negative connotations.

He said it’s important to have compassion during the season, as that’s what it’s about, for those who may not feel as eager as others.

“If your mother or father played a certain record around Christmas and that was a positive time for you – great, throw that on, that could maybe help,” he said.

“If you worked retail for years, and you were inundated with Christmas music and that meant nothing but stress to you, it’s going to evoke those kinds of feelings and those kinds of memories.”

At this time of year, or any for that matter, he encourages allowing others to experience authentic emotions, regardless of societal expectations.

by Jayk Sterkenburg

‘Most wonderful time of the year’: Holiday solace not a universal sentiment

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