The psychologist Elizabet Hervis Aviles explained that the rejection of Christmas and the holidays by the so-called “Grinch” has to do with different factors and organic, social and emotional responses.
In the organic we can refer to the physical ailments that we could experience prior to those dates, from colds, stomach ailments or simply general malaise, ”explained the psychologist.
In the social ones, the idea is limited that the individual who does not share the joy of the festivities of these dates, will tend to isolate himself from social groups, to avoid confrontations or simply the fact of sharing, he added.
While in the emotional ones, the cocktail of emotions can be exacerbated by the unpleasant experiences that they may have experienced during those dates, they can range from nostalgia, sadness, depression, anger, anger, apathy, to name a few,” he said.
People who oppose Christmas celebrations or who have a rude and greedy attitude during the Christmas season are also due to situations that generate a lot of stress or unpleasant experiences during these dates.
A traumatic event, the loss of a loved one or the longing for a person who is far away, causes in the individual a feeling of rejection, sadness or stress, which will make them want to avoid the meeting or festivity that characterizes these dates. reiterated Elizabeth Hervis.
He explained that scientifically studies have been done that could justify the motivation of a “Grinch”, “these responses have their origin in the motor cortex, in the premotor cortex and superior parietal lobe, to mention a few areas, which have the functionality among others so many that have to do with spirituality and facial recognition.”
Part of the cerebral cortex tends to regulate the higher functions of which we are aware, sensory perception, voluntary movements, language, emotions and thoughts. Therefore, any event that impacts our lives is saved by our brain and this is how a sensation, a memory, a situation will be reflected in our behavior and this is not alien to what a person who does not like Christmas possibly reflects. in an automatic way, by the simple function of our brain”, he added.
He stressed that a suggestion that could be given to the “Grinch” people, and that with great respect and care when executing them, would be to invite them to have more positive thoughts, remember better moments, take advantage of leisure moments and enjoy their solitude.
Who are more “Grinch”, Mexican women or men?
The psychologist Elizabet Hervis Aviles pointed out that there is no established parameter that says that more men or women suffer from this “Grinch” effect.
But I would dare to say that there are possibly more men. I think that due to their bonding characteristics, the stress that everything that these dates imply in particular could generate, they could suffer from being more of a “Grinch.” However, women, due to their bonding characteristics, possibly inject more affectivity into these festivities and suffer less from it, ”he explained.
He said that from the social and family aspect, the woman, specifically the mother, is the one who maintains unity on these dates, “but it is subjective, since it will depend on the different factors that influence that union or the distance they want to keep before These events”.
What psychological effects can be caused by being a “Grinch”?
Elizabet Hervis Aviles pointed out that if there is a psychological effect and that this is permanent because it is a “Grinch” it would have to do with the trauma that the event on these dates has caused the individual.
In general, the Grinch effect could be said to be only limited to these dates, but if it transcended all time and dates, then we would be talking about a disorder, which would have to be analyzed by a specialist.
Seasonal affective disorder is precisely limited to specific times of the year and is characterized by depression and even isolation, but once those dates have passed, everything seems to return to normal. So if we talk about psychological effects, depression and isolation would be the most frequent ones, ”he said.
Have social media influenced “Grinch” people?
The specialist said that perhaps social networks may be influencing the way we relate to others and consequently the way we conceive of Christmas parties.
However, one effect that I could say with certainty is that social networks, in their influence with society, are leading us to excessive stress due to the need to meet the expectations that the media themselves have instilled, he said.
We worry about the best, most expensive, most modern gift and we forget the real meaning of sharing and above all to the best of our ability, which becomes a daily challenge for those who experience it. But unfortunately or fortunately these dates are inevitable for everyone.
These dates have become a competition with ourselves to reflect what we are not and what we do not have, in order to fit into a coexistence that perhaps we do not share as the common denominator of society. This is where the fine line between enjoying togetherness, fraternity and more becomes a challenge, annoyance or distaste,” he said.
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