by Todd Pheifer

Created on: December 29, 2008   Last Updated: January 11, 2009

One would think that the happiness of holiday gatherings would carry beyond the actual day of Christmas celebration. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, for a number of reasons. To start, we must admit that Christmas is not the happiest of holidays for some people. Depression is actually something that can rear its ugly head during the holidays as people deal with cold winters, poor memories, and the reality that lost loved ones are no longer around. Here are a few other reasons that Christmas can be a health hazard.

Stuffing the mall

Part of the problem on the day after Christmas is the mall. Despite the hours that people spent looking for the "perfect" gift, they didn't get it quite right and something has to be returned or exchanged. This clogs the shopping establishments with people returning gifts and they are met by people looking for post-holiday bargains. In addition, there are a bunch of people that go to mall because they have the day off and boredom has already kicked in. Anytime you combine too many people in a small space, there is going to be some stress, conflict, and disagreements.

Travel plans

In addition to all the shopping travelers, there are those people who are trying to get home after going to visit family and friends somewhere else. Again, the roads are clogged by over-stuffed travelers who are worn out from the holiday "experience" and just want to get back to their dwelling place so they can prepare for normal life to resume. In some areas of the country the weather wreaks havoc on clogged roads, and more people end up in the ditch because of congestion and stormy conditions.

Time of celebration, time of sadness

As mentioned, the holidays are a down time for some people because it emphasizes how little Christmas cheer exists in their lives. Therefore, there is sadly always the potential for self-harm, which can lead to busy emergency rooms and the spreading of tragic news. Despite all the lights and glamour of the holiday season, people must remember that there are always a number of people who "celebrate" alone.

A bit to much to drink...

Finally, there is always the issue of consumption. During the Christmas season, people will imbibe a bit of adult beverage, which impairs their ability to drive and make rational decisions. Therefore, the clogged roads mentioned earlier also include a few hungover folks who are trying to make it home from their Christmas gatherings. This raises the possibility of alcohol-related accidents and even deaths.

Overall, Christmas is a happy time for many people as they gather with loved ones and exchange gifts. It is also a holiday to be respected because a great deal of people are operating outside of their normal routine. This doesn't mean that everyone has to be barricaded inside their houses, but they should proceed with caution as they re-enter the world after Christmas day.

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