Post-Holiday Blues

Post-Holiday Blues

It is now January and many people will be experiencing some sense of post-holiday blues after ringing in the New Year. The holidays are typically a busy time between all of the celebrations of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve. For some, the holidays can be triggering due to the loss of someone important, feelings of loneliness, stress of family expectations or travel, or overall financial pressure. That being said, for many, research shows that the excitement of the last few months of the year naturally decreases depression, self-harm behaviors, and suicide attempts. However, when the holidays are complete, there is a quick rebound of these concerning thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

Some may ask themselves, “what exactly are the ‘post-holiday blues’”? The experience of having post-holidays blues is truly fueled by the intense change of going from months of excitement for upcoming time off school or work to celebrate with friends and family to having a long, cold, and dark winter with barely any reprieve until the spring. The post-holiday blues is typically short lived and can look like symptoms of depression (i.e., feeling unmotivated, sadness, loneliness, emptiness, and other negative emotions) or anxiety (i.e., feelings of dread for returning to work/school, excessive rumination, insomnia, etc.). The feeling of the post-holiday blues itself may also feel like “post-vacation syndrome”; that feeling of facing your normal routine after an all too brief vacation.

So - what can be done for you or your child? Think about trying the follow coping strategies:

·        Cultivate gratitude

·        Be kind and patient with yourself

·        Buy a new calendar and plan for your new year and look forward to what awaits

·        Start some new healthy habits or hobbies  

·        Maintain a healthy sleep routine to continue prioritizing rest

·        Eat well, try out some new recipes to use the new year, and be sure to limit caffeine and alcohol intake

·        Go for a walk or do your favorite method of exercise

·        If religious, attend worship services

·        Take part in volunteer work

·        Attend some local events

·        Watch funny movies or videos online

·        Make time for friends and reach out to others if you need support

·        Reach out to a mental health professional if symptoms seem too intense or prolonged

Just remember: the “good times” are not over, they are just starting up again, and these negative emotions are just temporary. A new year just means new moments and memories, and there is a lot to look forward to for 2023!

-         Ciera Canaday, LCSW

Clinical Director and Psychotherapist