The holiday hustle, bustle, and distractions have come to a halt, and the stillness of winter is starting to set in. The winter season can also be a beautiful time of year for some, with cozying up by the fireplace, enjoying the crisp winter air, and engaging in outdoor activities unique to the season. But for others, the shorter amount of daylight, cold weather, lack of greenery, cabin fever, fewer outdoor activities, and slower pace can begin to wear on them as the season progresses.
While the French do acknowledge the event, it's much less of a big deal than it is in some other countries. That's not to say it isn't marked though - a 2021 survey by YouGov found that about one in three French people celebrate Halloween "at least occasionally". That being said, only eight percent said they celebrate every year, though this does increase among 18-34 year olds and parents.
The question of whether there's a science to grief comes at a time when prolonged grief disorder is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a medical condition treatable by drugs. DSM-5 TR (2022)defines extended grief in adults as lasting more than one year, and in children and adolescents for more than six months. For a diagnosis to occur, the grief should "last longer than might be expected based on social, cultural, or religious norms."