Álvaro Fernández, pharmacist: “If you feel especially tired after Christmas, it’s no coincidence”

Christmas is often portrayed as a time of joy, rest, and reunions, but for many people it ends up being long and exhausting. What begins with excitement can gradually turn into a vague sense of physical and mental fatigue.

From a psychological and physiological perspective, this wear and tear is not accidental. It stems from a progressive accumulation of factors that disrupt the body’s and mind’s usual balance.

Pharmacist Álvaro Fernández explains this in an informative video with a humorous tone: “Doesn’t Christmas feel really long to you? Instead of feeling like, wow, I had such a great time, so much happiness, I feel more like, okay, that’s it, see you next year. And in theory all you’ve done is eat, drink, and have fun with people you love and want to see.”

“I swear I end up incredibly tired, physically and mentally, and that’s normal. It could happen to you too,” he shares.

“In the end, Christmas is constant overstimulation,” he says. “It doesn’t matter where you go, there are people everywhere. That keeps the stress system switched on all the time, releasing more cortisol, which throws everything out of whack.”

“On top of that, you eat and drink too much, sleep too little, and break all your routines, which drives your body crazy,” he adds. “But above all, there’s a lot of mental fatigue, so many conversations and so much emotional intensity. At least in my case, it completely drains my social battery. I think I won’t go out until May. I’m going to become a hermit.”

An accumulation of factors

One of the first things to be affected is the circadian rhythm. Late dinners, gatherings that stretch into the early hours, and the disruption of daily routines throw the biological clock off balance. The body, which needs regularity to function optimally, enters a kind of internal disorder.

Sleeping at irregular hours or not getting enough sleep directly affects mood, concentration, and the ability to manage stress. Sleep deprivation is not always noticeable right away, but it builds up day after day, leading to irritability, apathy, and a constant feeling of dragging oneself through the holidays.

Added to this are overeating and alcohol consumption, which are culturally normalized during this time of year. Eating more than usual, at unusual times, and choosing very calorie-dense foods puts extra strain on the body.

Alcohol, although it may initially create a false sense of relaxation, disrupts sleep quality and intensifies emotional fatigue. The result is a body that feels inflamed, heavy, and low on energy, which directly affects psychological well-being.

Stress also tends to increase during Christmas. In addition to work demands that often do not fully disappear, there are social commitments, shopping, travel, and the unspoken pressure to “feel good.”

This combination of factors means that Christmas, far from being a restorative break, becomes an emotional marathon.

The fatigue is not only physical but also mental: making decisions, adapting, maintaining conversations, and managing one’s own emotions as well as those of others. The nervous system remains in a constant state of activation, with little room for genuine recovery.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.