COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — The holiday season is meant to be a time of joy and happiness, but for many it can become stressful and depressing. According to a 2023 survey, nearly 90% of adults feel stressed during the holidays, and over  60% of people already experiencing mental health issues find that their conditions worsen this time of year. Outpatient Psychiatrist with Prisma Health, Dr. Frank Clark, says it is okay to feel how you’re feeling. “A lot of times I think in society we feel like we have to give an explanation of why we’re feeling the way we’re feeling, and I have found over the years, as I get older and hopefully a little wiser, is that I don’t necessarily owe anybody an explanation, and I encourage my friends, and colleagues and patients to do the same. It is okay to feel how we’re feeling.” And, he says, it’s okay to be a “Scrooge.” “I think there’s a lot of pressure for people to be in the holiday spirit, but I would argue it’s ok to be a Scrooge during the holiday season and to be our authentic selves, and allow ourselves to feel what we’re feeling and not judge our feelings. Whether that be feelings of joy or feelings of sorrow,” says Clark. Another emotion that can arise during the holidays? Feelings of isolation, with one in three people experiencing loneliness. “I think it’s important that people are surrounded by people they care about. That can be a small number. It doesn’t always have to be this pomp and circumstance where we need a huge gathering to feel valued or feel like we belong,” says Clark. Lack of sunlight also takes a toll on our emotions during the winter months. “Even if that person may not want to be at a large holiday gathering, I still encourage people to get outside and get as much sunlight as they can, or doing things that bring them joy. For some people that may be poetry, for some people that may be crocheting, for some metalworking,” says Clark. And for many, financial struggles compound this time of year as well. Dr. Clark urges folks to not “break the bank” but rather to try and give gifts of service and love, from writing a poem, to sending a short video from your phone. “We talk about priceless gifts. Love is a priceless gift. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it doesn’t, but it’ll never be associated with debt. But it’s something that we can all aspire to receive and to give,” he says.   Categories: Local News, News Tags: depression, Dr. Frank Clark, Prisma Health, stress