Getting Over The Post Holiday Blues

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Have the holidays left you feeling blue?  So much hype usually goes into preparation for the Christmas and new year’s celebrations that often begin a long time before the actual holiday. People live in anticipation of gathering with those they love to share in festivities and creation of new memories. When the holidays are over and done, life might feel a bit blah. 

Once the festive season has passed, it can leave people feeling sad. The anticipation is over and time can seem void of purpose. Finding oneself alone after a time of connection and exchange can leave a person feeling somewhat empty, especially if they are someone who is alone. It’s normal to feel lonely after having spent a considerable amount of time in the company of others. 

It’s easy to get veered off course or fall off the wagon as some would say during celebratory times. For people who have made a commitment to their wellbeing and have adopted a healthier lifestyle, getting caught up in holiday season overindulgence can leave them feeling unwell physically, and this can negatively affect their mental outlook. Individuals who are not accustomed to consuming alcohol or rich and sweet foods may not feel well. Their bodies may have difficulty tolerating these substances. Those who are working at adopting healthier lifestyles, holiday celebrations may make them feel like they’ve let themselves down. If you find yourself having put on extra pounds you didn’t want during the holidays, don’t dwell on it.  Chalk it up to experience and focus instead on doing what you know you have to do to be at your bet. 

The post-holiday blues may accentuate feelings that are already there as well. 

Don’t Beat Yourself Up

Whether you feel depressed because you find yourself alone after the holidays, or you have veered off your ideal wight plan, don’t beat yourself up. It’s normal to feel empty after being in company for some time, and it’s okay to deviate from a plan once in a while. Any extreme is not maintainable.

Life is to be experienced. We are meant to learn from a wide range of experiences. This includes ups and downs. 

Get Back To You

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to get back to you. Contrary to popular belief, looking out for your wellness is not selfish, it is a sign of maturity. Now that things have quietened down, there’s time to fill with reconnecting to those things you’re committed to. This can be your commitment to a healthier lifestyle, a career goal, getting through a difficult challenge, or anything you’ve put aside during the holidays.

Get past the post-holiday blues by going back to doing the things you love. These could be things you’ve put aside for a long time. They may have been put aside because there were other obligations to tend to. Often, this is how people lose touch with a part of themselves that can leave them feeling blue. 

Reach Out

Know that you are not alone. There are many people who feel alone in the world and not only during the holidays. How can you change how you feel if you are feeling blue?

Imagine yourself next year at this same time being free of feeling sad or lonely. What actions can you take today to bring about this outcome? Do you need to get out and meet new people? Where can you go to interact with others?

All these questions, you have to answer for yourself. They depend on your age, your circumstances, and interests. You may choose to volunteer, join groups online to meet new people, go to retreats or seminars, day-trips, excursions, get involved the community, guided tours, lectures, trips, visit places of interest, and so on. 

Cultivate Happiness

Smiling is a great mood elevator.

I was told the following simple words not long ago, and they resonated with me deeply. “Remember to smile,” said the young man on the other end of the telephone conversation. Those words immediately brought a smile to my face and got me thinking about smiling. As you go about your days, reach out to people with a smile. Not only does this make you more approachable, it helps you feel better. Smiling signals the brain to release neurotransmitters such as dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin to help relieve stress, act as antidepressant, and create feelings of happiness.

The same molecules are produced as a result of exercise such as walking. This can bring a whole new perspective and is a healthy way to fight depression. Physical movement helps people ground in the moment. Read more here about the relationship between happiness and presence issues. 

Do Something New

Getting past feelings that don’t serve your wellbeing such as sadness may require a new approach. If this is a persistent state, more of the same will not change anything. Humans are for the most part creatures of habit attached to false comfort zones.

Don’t only think of doing something you might like doing, plan for it. This will produce feelings of excitement and anticipation. Keep this momentum going by planning new adventures. They don’t have to be elaborate. They can be as simple as visiting somewhere you’ve never been, taking up a new hobby, or trying a new recipe. The point is to keep life interesting and stimulating when you can. Step out of the routine that life may become if you let it. 

Wishing you a blessed new year!