7 Things You Can Do To Recover From The Post-holiday Blues
It’s early January, the holidays are over, and it’s time to go back to “normal life.” You might find yourself feeling a bit depressed. So what are post-holiday blues and what can you do about them?”
What Are Post-Holiday Blues?
If you are feeling a little blue after the holidays, you are in good company: the National Alliance on Mental Illness, reports that 64% of people report being affected by post-holiday depression or “post-vacation syndrome”.
What are the symptoms of Post-Holiday Blues?
Like clinical depression, post-holiday blues may present with sadness, hopelessness, low energy, difficulty concentrating, low motivation, and anxiousness. But unlike clinical depression, symptoms last a few days rather than persisting for a few weeks.
Why Do People Get Post-holiday Blues?
There are a number of reasons why people might get “post-holiday blues.” One key reason is that the holidays are a period of heightened stress, especially if people are trying to juggle many different commitments or obligations.
Another reason is that the holidays can be a time of increased socializing, which can be enjoyable for some people but also tiring. When the holidays are over, people may feel lonely or isolated if social contact suddenly drops.
For some, it is purely the letdown after time off, increased relaxation, fun, or excitement, and the return to the everyday routine.
If you live in the North of the Northern Hemisphere, you may have an additional trigger: January and February can feel like long, cold dark months with very little to look forward to, and this may seem daunting and depressing.
Finally, the holidays can be a time of increased spending, which can lead to financial stress and feelings of guilt or regret once the bills start coming in. All of these factors can contribute to feelings of sadness or depression after the holidays.
7 Things You Can Do To Recover From The Post-holiday Blues
- Set realistic expectations after the holidays: it’s normal to feel a letdown after the excitement of the holidays has passed, but setting unrealistic expectations can make this feeling worse.
- Stay active and get outside if the weather allows. Exercise, exposure to daylight and being in nature can help improve your mood and provide a sense of accomplishment.
- Stay connected with loved ones. It can be helpful to spend time with friends and family or reach out to loved ones via phone or video call to combat feelings of loneliness or isolation.
- Keep a routine. Returning to a regular routine can provide a sense of structure and normalcy after the holidays.
- Ramp up self-care. Take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, drinking lots of water, meditating, and finding time for activities that bring you joy or peace.
- Improve your diet if you overindulged over the holidays. The blood sugar swings from overindulgence can impact brain chemistry and can lead to low mood, sleep disturbance, and anxiety. So, increase your intake of unprocessed vegetables and fruit and decrease your intake of sugary, highly processed food.
- Seek professional help if needed. If you’re struggling with feelings of sadness or depression that are not improving, consider seeking the help of a mental health professional.
While post-holiday blues are common, you can choose to limit your suffering by doing these seven things.
Your Coach Leonaura
