Though it’s always good practice to take care of our mental health, there’s no better time than now to pay closer attention to how we’re feeling. Mid-December is here, Christmas is around the corner, and for many, this season is the opposite of merry and bright. In fact, 3 in 5 Americans report that the holidays negatively impact their mental wellbeing, and for those with mental illnesses, 64% say their conditions become even harder to manage.
Of course, the irony of struggling in moments meant to celebrate joy and togetherness isn’t lost on anyone. But that doesn’t make it any easier to escape the overwhelm—the endless social interactions, the frantic to-do lists, the chaos of crowded spaces, and the painful reminders of childhood trauma that often resurface at family gatherings.
Still, sometimes the simplest way to support our mental health during the holidays is to laugh at the absurdity of it all—even if that means enjoying a few memes. To understand what makes it so effective, Bored Panda spoke with Dr. Charlotte Russell, a clinical psychologist and founder of The Travel Psychologist blog.
“Our lives are often serious, boring, and quite frankly, stressful,” explains Dr. Russell. “Humor can help lighten the mood as a response to this.”
“We may occasionally use funny memes and share them with colleagues or friends to pass the time or create a sense of connection in a difficult situation,” she adds. “This can be a helpful coping strategy when used in moderation.”
