The kids and guests have gone back, the argument with Cousin Jane leaves a bad taste in the mouth, the house is a complete mess, the water heater is not working after being overworked the past few weeks and there are heaps of bills to pay. No wonder people suffer from post Christmas and winter holiday blues!
In fact, January is probably one of the worst months for many people. The stress of going back to work and getting kids back to school can cause more anxiety too. Here are some strategies to cope with post holiday blues.
Be Prepared for Feeling Depressed
Those who are prepared to feel sad, lonely, depressed and disappointed after the holiday highs are less likely to be overwhelmed by these feelings when they finally strike. Start planning what to do to get the mind off feeling depressed. Have a to-do list ready so that you won’t have time to feel lonely and sorry for yourself after the holidays end. Make plans to watch a movie, see a friend, tend to the garden, take leisurely walks in the park or have a spa treatment.
Set Reasonable Goals during Christmas and Holidays
Be realistic and set reasonable goals for Christmas and the holidays. Learn to reduce stress during Christmas. Plan everything ahead, avoid last-minute shopping and stick to the budget. Don’t try to make this holiday season the best ever, especially if there are financial constraints and not much help from others. Prioritize and do your best. Don’t beat yourself up if this year’s Christmas isn’t as good as in pervious years.
Be Positive
Family gatherings can be stressful, especially if there is an ongoing feud between several family members. Limit exposure to people who irritate you. If something unpleasant happened during the holidays, try to get over it as best as possible. There’s little point dwelling on it. Try focusing on happy memories that have taken place instead.
Stay Healthy during Holidays
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important during the holidays as well. Make special efforts to eat and drink healthily, avoid overeating, have enough rest and sleep, exercise regularly and get as much sunlight as possible.
Prepare for Work and School
If the family has gone for a long vacation during the Christmas and winter break, try not to go back to work or school the day after coming home. Give the family at least two to three days to have some quiet time and to recover from the holidays first. Use these few days to unwind, clean the house, restock the fridge and organize the kids for school. When things are not rushed, anxiety levels will drop too.
At work, spend the first few days checking emails and catching up with colleagues. There is probably not much to do. Use the time to update the resume, list down things you want to accomplish in the new year or even start planning for the next holiday! When there is something positive to look forward to, it’s easier to stay happy.
Do Something for Others
Helping in others in need is rewarding in itself. Donate generously to churches and charity organizations. Volunteer your time at shelters for women, children and abused animals. Sponsor a child with humanitarian organizations such as World Vision and CARE. You can even help by clicking on websites such as The Hunger Site, which contains links to other similar charity websites. Don’t limit such contributions during the holidays only. Spread it out all year round.
Keep in Touch with Loved Ones after Holidays
Saying goodbye to loved family and friends after the holidays is often hard. Ease the emptiness and sadness by keeping in touch throughout the year. With the availability of the Internet and 3G camera mobile phones, staying connected has never been easier.
Don’t let post-holiday blues overwhelm you. By setting reasonable goals, staying positive, maintaining good health, getting ready to go back to work and school, helping those in need and keeping in touch with family, post-holiday depression can be dealt with successfully.
References:
“Do’s and Don’ts to Manage Holiday Blues”. University of Maryland Medical Center.
Dr. Edward T. Creagan. “Reality vs Myth in Fighting Holiday Stress”. Mayo Clinic website.
Wei Yin Wong - I started my working life as a reporter at an English daily called The Sun in Malaysia 16 years ago, writing health-related articles. ...
