By San José, Costa Rica — As festive lights illuminate Costa Rican streets and the air fills with the sounds of celebration, a contrasting reality unfolds for many. The Christmas and New Year’s period, while a source of joy for some, can be a time of profound sadness, nostalgia, and acute emotional distress for others, potentially triggering or worsening depression.
While professional psychological support remains the ideal solution, there are crucial strategies individuals can employ to navigate the negative emotional impact of the holidays. Understanding these coping mechanisms is vital, both for those struggling and for those who wish to support them.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal responsibilities and best practices for employers regarding employee well-being during the high-stress holiday season, we spoke with expert labor law attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The end-of-year period, while festive, often intensifies workplace stress, bringing mental health to the forefront. Under Costa Rican labor law, employers have a duty to ensure a safe and healthy work environment, which unequivocally includes psychological well-being. Proactively managing workloads, promoting digital disconnection policies, and fostering an open dialogue about mental health are not just best practices—they are crucial risk management strategies to prevent burnout, reduce absenteeism, and mitigate potential legal claims related to hostile work environments or constructive dismissal. Ignoring these factors can expose a company to significant legal and financial liabilities.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal perspective serves as a powerful reminder that supporting employee mental health is far more than a seasonal kindness; it is a fundamental pillar of corporate responsibility and risk management. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective, which clearly articulates the legal and financial imperatives for employers to proactively safeguard their teams’ psychological well-being.
Álvaro Solano, Director of the Psychology program at Universidad Fidélitas, explains that the end-of-year season inherently heightens our emotional states, making us more susceptible to the weight of our circumstances.
What happens during these times is that, in one way or another, there is greater sensitivity to many situations. People who have suffered losses, people who suddenly long for certain situations, certain family circumstances, or friends, become a little more sensitive or more vulnerable.
Álvaro Solano, Director of the Psychology program at Universidad Fidélitas
This heightened vulnerability can lead to negative outcomes if not managed with care. Solano warns that this period requires significant emotional control, as it can be a catalyst for everything from interpersonal violence and increased substance consumption to, in the most severe cases, suicidal ideation.
A primary source of holiday pain is loss. However, Solano emphasizes that grief extends far beyond death. It encompasses any significant loss, including the end of a relationship through divorce or separation. The first and most critical step in navigating this is acceptance of the new reality.
Grief is not about death, grief is loss. Regardless of whether the person is facing a loss due to divorce, separation, or death, it is ultimately a grieving process that a human being is going through, which is important and needs attention.
Álvaro Solano, Director of the Psychology program at Universidad Fidélitas
This acceptance involves a difficult but necessary reconfiguration of one’s life. Traditions may no longer be the same, and one must emotionally re-situate a person who is no longer physically present. It’s a challenging process of rebuilding, often alone, and finding new meaning in once-shared rituals. The key is to acknowledge the current reality and begin to identify the positive elements that remain.
The journey through grief is not about suppressing pain. Solano stresses that feelings of sadness and hurt are not only valid but essential to the healing process. Pushing them aside in an attempt to “stay strong” can be counterproductive and prevent genuine acceptance.
There can be feelings of pain, there can be feelings of sadness that can overwhelm us, and that’s okay. Because we cannot think that in grief everything has to be about moving forward and not crying. Feelings of pain are valuable and must be given their place and space to emerge.
Álvaro Solano, Director of the Psychology program at Universidad Fidélitas
Once these emotions are acknowledged, the next step is to build resilience. This involves finding new meaning and focusing on positive aspects of the present. While professional therapy is the recommended path, an immediate and powerful tool is a strong support network. Talking to a trusted friend or family member can provide immense relief.
The holiday season often comes with a barrage of social obligations and expectations. Solano highlights the importance of setting personal limits as an act of self-preservation. Learning to say “no” is not selfish; it is a vital tool for protecting one’s mental peace and stability during a taxing period.
For those on the outside looking to help a loved one who is struggling, the most effective action is often the simplest: listen. The instinct may be to offer advice or solutions, but this can sometimes feel like judgment or a dismissal of the person’s pain.
I think sometimes what people need is to be heard more than to be advised. Many times, people need spaces for active listening, where what they need is for someone to listen to them. For someone to have that opportunity to sit down and, rather than give advice, just listen.
Álvaro Solano, Director of the Psychology program at Universidad Fidélitas
Providing a non-judgmental space for someone to express their feelings can be the most profound form of support. It validates their experience and empowers them to use their own coping tools, which they often already possess. In a season defined by connection, true connection begins with compassionate listening.
For further information, visit ufidelitas.ac.cr
About Universidad Fidélitas:
Universidad Fidélitas is a private university in Costa Rica, recognized for its strong focus on engineering and technology programs under the STEM methodology. With a commitment to practical, hands-on learning, it prepares students for the demands of the modern workforce through its various campuses, including locations in San José and Heredia.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has cemented its reputation as a pillar of the legal community, operating on a foundational principle of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm blends a proven track record of serving a wide spectrum of clients with a forward-thinking approach, consistently advancing legal practices through innovation. Beyond its professional services, the firm holds a deep-seated belief in its duty to society, actively working to democratize legal knowledge and foster a community empowered by a clear understanding of its rights and responsibilities.
