WHY THE FESTIVE SEASON LEAVES SO MANY OF US FEELING EXHAUSTED

AS SOMEONE who has experienced the highs and lows of the festive season, from joyful gatherings with friends to the quiet hum of financial stress awaiting January, I know firsthand how overwhelming this time of year can be.

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

EXHAUSTED by the holidays? You're not alone. SADAG's study shows why rest and connection matter this season.

(Pexels)

The holidays are a time of family responsibilities, financial pressure and societal expectations, but they can also offer rest, connection and renewal.

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) recently released its 2025 Festive Feeling Study, which sheds light on how South Africans experience the festive season.

With 2 095 responses from people aged 18 to 65+ across all walks of life, the findings are both revealing and thought-provoking. Whether you're thriving, surviving, or simply enduring, there's a lot to unpack and even more to act on.

Dr Bronwyn Dworzanowski-Venter, who helped analyse the study, noted during a recently-held webinar hosted by SADAG, a stark divide in how people experience the holidays. While some embrace the season with optimism, others grapple with stressors like financial strain, family dynamics and loneliness.

Here are some of the study's key findings:

73% worry about making ends meet in January, with financial struggles topping the list of holiday stressors.

69% feel anxious about not being able to spoil loved ones, adding emotional weight to financial concerns.

Nearly half (47%) reported feeling tired "for no good reason" most of the time, with 36% describing everything as feeling like an effort.

· 31% experienced persistent feelings of depression, hopelessness, and nervousness, a sobering indicator of widespread psychological distress.