Are you already anticipating that post-holiday slump? Maybe the holidays are your favorite time of the year, and you soak up every minute of cheer. Perhaps, like for many of us, it’s a
complicated relationship. Regardless of how you relate to the holidays, it can feel strange when the hustle and bustle quiets down and the start of a new year rolls around. Suddenly, it’s back to life-as-usual. For some of us, this is when the post-holiday blues can set in.
What do post-holiday blues look like, and how do you know if you are experiencing them? Keeping mind that symptoms can look and feel different for everyone, and this is not an exhaustive list.However, some common signs include: feelings of low motivation, sadness, increased irritability, tension, or anxiety. Other signs include feelings of loneliness or even a feeling of emptiness. While these feelings are not exclusive to post-holiday blues and can stem from multiple causes, they are often heightened during this transitional time.
You may be asking yourself why these feelings would manifest during this time. After all, the
holidays are advertised as the happiest time of the year. Moreover, the start of a new year should be filled with hope and promise, right? The possibilities are endless as a fresh year stands before you. Indeed, a new year can bring new opportunities and a chance to begin again. At the same time, pressure to make and keep resolutions or to set new goals can be intimidating. It can feel like you are already behind before you’ve even begun!
In addition, while you may have enjoyed time with loved ones or away from work over the
holidays, these commitments require energy and can also bring up difficult feelings, memories, and experiences. It is common to feel like you need a vacation to recover from your “vacation.” Even if you feel rested and restored, it can feel jarring to suddenly return to a typical routine on the heels of heightened anticipation and stimulation characteristic of the holiday season. For some, awareness that seasonal festivities will come to an end interferes with the ability to stay present and actually enjoy the holidays—a kind of anticipatory post-holiday blues. All of these reasons, and more, help us understand the layers of expectations, feelings, and experiences wrapped up in this time of the year.
If any of these experiences resonate with you, know that you are not alone! The post-holiday
blues are common and usually resolve with time. However, there are ways to lessen the impact and help shift your mood and perspective. The following are some tips and strategies to help you navigate this transition time with more ease:
● Make space for your feelings. It is tempting to try to quickly move past or suppress
uncomfortable feelings. This is especially true when cultural messaging suggests that you
should feel excited or particularly motivated to start a new year on the right foot. Find
space to tune in, notice, and name your feelings without judging or trying to change them.
Keep in mind you can experience seemingly opposed feelings at the same time. For
example, you may have felt joy when attending a holiday event, while also experiencing
sadness and grief about those who could not be there. Identifying your feelings will help
you validate your own experience and ride the wave of your feelings, which ultimately
fosters more acceptance and ease.
● Move at your own pace. Remind yourself that life is not a competition. This is
especially important when we are surrounded by impressions of others via social
media—The pull to compare is strong! Ask yourself what it would look like to move into
the new year at your own pace. Consider whether your responses are in alignment with
your own values, or whether they reflect what you think you “should” be doing. How
might you adjust to better support your current needs and desires?
● Tap into social support. It may seem like everyone around you is adjusting well, but in
reality, post-holiday blues are common. There is a good chance someone you know can
relate to your experience. Reach out to a friend or someone you trust and share how you
are feeling, or just spend time together. Low-pressure connection can help alleviate
loneliness that is common after the holidays.
● Schedule downtime and/or a fun activity. Just as we benefit from connection and
support, we also need downtime or time to decompress by ourselves. What this looks like
is highly individual. What are your favorite ways to pour into your own cup? Remember
that it can be something small or simple, but intentionally putting it on your calendar can
ensure it doesn’t fall off the list. Plus, it allows you to look forward to it, which can be
helpful when coming down from the holiday rush.
● Focus on the fundamentals. Sometimes when we feel stuck, we look for the latest and
greatest quick-fix solution. While there is value in exploring new options, the basic
building blocks of our daily routines can have a big impact on how we feel. Some helpful
areas to consider include: sleep, food and hydration, and movement. Take note of what
habits support your well-being and focus on one or two small things at a time. For
example, you could try five minutes of stretching before bed to help release tension from
the day and prepare for better sleep. The key here is to keep it small and allow for
flexibility. This helps mitigate that new-year-resolution anxiety.
As you navigate the holidays and head into the new year, keep these strategies in mind if you
find yourself heading toward a post-holiday funk. You may even find them helpful to revisit in
any future times of transition. Finally, if you’re looking for more support as you move through this time, remember that you are not alone. Reach out, and let’s discuss how we can work together to support
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