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Anyone who knows me knows that I love the holidays. I REALLY love that time of year! I jokingly tell people that I’m part elf because of how happy I am during the holiday season. And so it’s not uncommon for me to feel some post-holiday blues once January rolls around. As I’ve gotten older I have discovered more things that allow me to overcome the post-holiday blues more easily. If you’ve ever struggled with feeling a little blue after the holidays have ended, then one of these things may help you too!
Plan something fun
The holiday season has been filled with fun activities, parties, and gatherings with family and friends. And January isn’t typically a month filled with many special events. So you may want to plan a special activity or event that you can look forward to. Maybe a weekend away or a game or movie night with friends. Or plan a weekend hike to go and try a new restaurant. It doesn’t have to be a big plan. Just something different from your normal routine that can add a little excitement to your life after the holidays.
Get out in nature
People used to spend a lot of time outdoors. But nowadays most people spend most of their time inside. But spending time outside can be beneficial for mental and emotional health. Being out in nature is soothing for the nervous system. And since the holidays can be an overstimulating time of year, taking time to soothe the nervous system can be good.
Studies are also showing that time in nature can help boost your mood and help you to be happier as well! So spending a bit of time in a park, the beach, or the forest could potentially help you overcome the post-holiday blues.
Gratitude Journaling
Gratitude is a powerful emotion. Practicing gratitude regularly has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. Consider starting a gratitude journal. Write down a few things you’re grateful for each day. This can help you maintain a positive mindset and appreciate the smaller joys in your everyday life.
Daily self-care
Many people, women particularly, do not practice regular self-care. What is self-care exactly? Self-care is the art of taking care of your basic physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. Somehow society has promoted the idea that taking time for self-care is selfish and that couldn’t be less true! Are you taking the time to eat foods that are nourishing to your body? Are you getting plenty of rest or are you burning the candle at both ends to get more done? Do you exercise your body regularly? Do you face difficult emotions as they come up or do you stuff them down? Are you okay with setting boundaries or saying no when needed?
After such a busy time of year like the holidays, self-care is mandatory! You can’t be there to help others when you aren’t even able to help yourself. Regular self-care will ultimately help you avoid chronic illness and disease, which is good for both you and the others in your life.
Stay connected socially
If the holidays involve spending time with friends and family, try to maintain those connections. Plan casual meetups or video calls to stay connected and keep the holiday spirit alive. This was something that started for me during the pandemic. The holidays were not quite as happy in 2020 and I found that I was feeling more blue in January of 2021. It wasn’t as easy to meet up with friends, because I had several who were more comfortable staying in than going out. But we missed seeing each other!
So my friend group decided to do a weekly “happy hour” call via Zoom. We each grabbed an adult beverage and connected for about an hour one night a week. Those who could be there in a given week met up and took time to chat. If someone couldn’t be there it was no big deal. But it was a great way to connect.
We now also try to get together in person at least once a month as a group. But I get together with individual friends a couple of times a week to go grab a coffee, go for a hike at the local state park, or get dinner.
Get some vitamin D!
For some people, the winter brings seasonal affective disorder. A deficiency of vitamin D can cause symptoms to get worse. I personally struggle with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). And I find that my symptoms get worse in January. In December I have so many positive holiday events happening. But the world seems a lot darker once the holidays are over. And by the time January rolls around it has been dark earlier for around two months. And my body feels it. I have had times when I have also used a sunlamp to help boost my mood. But I find that getting adequate vitamin D works best for me!
Post-holiday blues can be a real downer, but there are ways to lift your spirits! Try easing back into your routine gradually, maybe with some small enjoyable activities. Plan something to look forward to, like a weekend getaway or a fun event. Reflect on the positive moments from the holidays and carry that gratitude forward. And don’t forget self-care—whether it’s a cozy night in, a good book, or some soothing music, take time for yourself. How about trying one of these and seeing how it goes?
Give yourself some grace
Remember, it’s okay to feel a bit blue after the holidays. This also applies to any big event. You can also feel blue after a highly-anticipated vacation, wedding, or other special event. Give yourself the time and space to adjust, and don’t hesitate to seek support from friends, family, or colleagues if needed. If your bout of blues seems to linger longer than you feel it should, don’t be afraid to seek professional help, especially if you are having a difficult time functioning. I have had times when I have had to see a therapist. And it made a big difference for me!