As the winter season approaches, so too does the never-ending barrage of sappy Hallmark Christmas movies. For the uninitiated, these films are typically low-budget romantic comedies that follow a formulaic plotline: girl meets boy, girl loses boy, girl gets boy back in the end. And while they may be easy on the eyes (seriously, have you seen some of these actors?), they are seriously detrimental to your mental health. Here’s why:
The Ugly Truth About Hallmark Christmas Movies
So why are these movies so detrimental to our mental health? It all comes down to the unrealistic expectations that they set. Hallmark Christmas movies always have a happy ending. The protagonist overcomes all obstacles to get together with their true love just in time for Christmas. But in real life, relationships are messy and complicated, and not everything always works out the way we want it to.
When we watch these movies, we’re setting ourselves up for disappointment when our own relationships don’t measure up. We start to believe that the only way to be truly happy is to have a partner. So, if we don’t have one, we somehow fail. We compare our own lives to those of the characters on screen and find them wanting.
Even more, these movies often portray relationships in a very idealized way. There’s usually little or no conflict, and everything just falls into place perfectly. In reality, relationships take work and compromise from both parties. But when we watch Hallmark Christmas movies, we get the impression that love should be easy and effortless. And when it’s not, we think something must be wrong with us.
Additionally, they make it seem like all it takes to find love is a little holiday magic, when in reality, finding a lasting relationship takes a whole lot of work. And if you’re gay and single, watching two straight people fall in love while you’re stuck at home alone can be downright painful. Trust us—we know from experience.
So this holiday season, do yourself a favor and stay away from the Lifetime and Hallmark channels. Your mental health will thank you for it. Besides, there are plenty of other great shows to watch during this cozy time of year (we recommend “Schitt’s Creek” or “The Crown,” both of which are available on Netflix). So curl up with a blanket, pour yourself a glass of wine, and enjoy something that won’t make you want to curl up into a ball and cry yourself to sleep.