Vacation plans replacing traditional visits weaken intergenerational ties

Experts state that holiday plans replacing traditional holiday visits weaken intergenerational ties, and draw attention to the fact that holidays are a period of 'sharing,' not 'rest.'

While the work intensity and stress brought by modern life push individuals to see holidays as 'rest opportunities,' this situation causes some traditional values for holidays to weaken.

The physical and mental fatigue caused by the year-long work pace overrides the essential holiday habits of 'sharing' and 'visiting,' transforming the period into an individual rest phase.

This change, psychologically, prevents children from developing a sense of rootedness and trust within the extended family, leaving elderly family members to face loneliness. On a social level, holidays being experienced as vacation-oriented results in the tradition of 'sıla-i rahim' (visiting relatives), which keeps social memory alive, being sacrificed to modern consumption habits.

Experts made evaluations to AA reporters regarding the importance of traditional holiday visits for strengthening the family institution, increasing intra-family communication, and preserving family and national values.

"Holidays are an opportunity to transition from digital loneliness to social healing"

President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized that holidays are not just a religious and national tradition, but also the most powerful 'social antidote' against today's 'digital loneliness.'

Tarhan stated that holidays are a process of accumulating psychological capital rather than a holiday escape.

Stating that holidays meet people's need for social belonging, trust, and self-transcendence, and are the most powerful positive rituals that have continued for centuries, Tarhan used the expression, "Holidays offer our brains an opportunity for deep social healing and psychological detox."

Tarhan stated that today's digital age is defined as 'connection exists but no bond,' and that 'shallow dopamine' surges obtained through screens do not satisfy people's real need for a sense of belonging and trust.

Tarhan said, "The human brain learns by experiencing and accumulating memories. While communication established in the digital environment remains shallow, face-to-face holiday greetings are profound processes where social bonds are truly sealed."

Tarhan, who evaluates seeing holidays merely as a vacation opportunity as a result of the 'pleasure-oriented life philosophy' (hedonic adaptation), stated that family and relative visits trigger serotonin secretion in the brain.

Prof. Tarhan noted the following:

"Harvard's massive 85-year study has also proven that what makes people happiest in life and extends their lifespan is not fame or wealth, but the quality social bonds they establish. In this context, visiting elders is not just a social activity, but our strongest social capital protecting our mental health. If one cannot be with family during the holiday and has to go somewhere, elders' feelings should definitely be considered. They should be visited even before the holiday. Of course, holidays have an entertainment aspect, but the aspect of sacrifice should not be forgotten."

"Holidays are an opportunity for psychological detox"

Tarhan stated that holidays are also an opportunity for 'psychological detox,' and drew attention to the physiological benefits of forgiveness.

Tarhan, stating that carrying grudges and anger harms the immune system, said, "Holiday greetings are a unique period to put these burdens aside by 'mental reframing.' Forgiveness reduces stress hormones, slows heart rate, and improves overall health."

Tarhan stated that the way to keep the younger generation from shying away from holiday tables is not to turn the holiday into a conference or sermon environment, and added, "By implementing 'digital detoxes' within the family, phones should be put aside during meal and conversation times to create a real communication atmosphere. When transmitting this tradition to young people, the fact that a sense of belonging will provide them with 'psychological resilience' against future challenges and keep them in the safe shade of a 'social tent' should be explained through modeling."

Tarhan made the following recommendations to those who wish to spend the holiday peacefully and those who will visit elderly family members:

"Put problems aside, postpone resolving grievances until after the holiday. Be mentally prepared and flexible towards challenging relative figures. Uphold cultural heritage; kissing the hands of elders and remembering them are our most valuable traditions that make us who we are."

AA