ith all the holly, jolly December, it’s easy to feel the post holiday depression symptoms. And there is no one to blame, especially not you! You might also have faced the post holiday depression after a long, dreamy vacation somewhere far, far away. The term refers to negative feelings surrounding you after a holiday period: either an amazing vacation or the winter holidays.
Chances are that by now you most probably got over the Christmas and New Year’s nostalgia. Usually going back to work or to school brings us back (in a brutal way) to reality.
How To Get Over the Post Holiday Depression
If you haven’t got back in business yet and you’re still feeling a little down, here are some tips that might help you!
1. Continue the festivities
Let the Christmas tree decorated for a little longer, maybe a week after the New Year’s Eve. Continue to listen to Christmas carols (it’s not bad luck) while you’re at work and pin cute Christmasy photos during your lunch break. In this way, even though you will not be happy to be back to work, you will still get that Christmas spirit that you’re graving. You will get sick of it eventually and you will feel the need of going back to “normal”.
2. Surround yourself with friends
If you’re facing some sort of depression symptoms, one of them might be anxiety and loneliness. You will definitely not feel like going out and have a good laugh with your friends. But the one thing that I love about the winter holidays is that I get to go home and hang out with one of my dearest friends. We are all very different and similar in a weird, twisted way and we always feel really good when we hang out.
This is also included in the first tip of continuing with the holiday atmosphere. So call a night out with your closest friends, have a good laugh and let all those negative feeling drift away.
3. Keep doing the things that you like
This tip was given to me be a therapist when I was trying to help my Mum to get over some sort of depression. Luckily I did not have to face severe depression so far, but I had to face some of its symptoms and I have to say it’s horrible! You can barely get out of bed, eat and find a meaning of your life. If you’re in this king or state, be sure that you have a list of things that you enjoy on hand. Look through it and see if anything make you feel better and start doing it. One of my favourite things to do are reading, writing, taking photographs and cooking. You will find it hard to do it in the beginning, but once you’ll find the energy and strength to do it, you will be very grateful.
4. Have a walk
Many studies have concluded that having a nice walk in the nature, or having regular walks can prevent depression. With a little effort, you can boost your mood a lot.
5. Talk to someone
Whatever is your partner, sister or BFF, talk to someone that you are 100% comfortable with. It’s very important that you don’t feel judged or criticized in any way. It might take some strength to do it, but you might discover that they are going to similar feelings as you do, which will ease the burden a lot.
You can also take that friend to a nice walk and talk about… things.
6. It will be back
If this brings you any comfort: Christmas will be back in less than a year! And all the peacefulness and joy will be back. But until then, you have to make it worth the waiting; have a hell of a year so that you can enjoy Christmas and New Year to their fullest!
7. Seek help
If there have been a few weeks now and you still have trouble sleeping, waking up and pulling yourself up, then you should think about seeking professional help. Please, trust me that there is no shame in going to a therapist! It’s probably one of the healthiest decisions you’ll make in your entire life. You will see, that it’s amazing when an expert is telling you that you’re not the only one facing this (because that’s how you feel) and that it’s not your fault for feeling so. These people are there to help, not judge you so fuck the shame or other stupid feelings that you have about doing therapy and call for an appointment.
What other tips do you have to get over the post-holiday depression? Does it affect you in any way?
42 comments
This is very timely! I find that I do suffer some “post holiday doldrums,” mainly because all my adult kids and grandchildren live in other states. We live in Maine and usually travel to New Hampshire at some point over the holidays, since that’s where my two youngest daughters and families live. But my oldest daughter and only son and their families live WAY out in Colorado and New Mexico, respectively. My parents are deceased, and my siblings and their families are scattered in different states, as well. I do long for the holidays we USED to have, but I understand that’s no longer possible. I appreciate your suggestions!
Oh, I’m sorry you’re so far away from your family. I always go home for holidays (Easter and Christmas) no matter what. I imagine how difficult it must be for my parents to not have their only child close to them so I try to go home whenever I can.
I love all of your tips. I don’t usually suffer with post-holiday depression but this year I’ve been struggling. The thing that’s helping me most is focusing on getting back into my normal routine– working out, meditating, weekly dinners or drinks with friends– so I feel grounded and not overwhelmed.
These are all great! I’m not one to feel the holiday-blues. I always take the Christmas tree down the day after Christmas.
xx,
Amanda || http://www.fortheloveofglitter.com
Oh, wow! How can you take down the Christmas tree so soon? I had it once until February when I was a child because I wouldn’t let them to take it down.
I definitely suffer from post-holiday blues! I love to still listen to Christmas music, even a few weeks into January, but one of my best ways to beat it is by making plans for the next year! Vacation planning always gives me something to look forward to. 🙂 Love these tips!
this is perfect. I love the idea of bringing the Christmas spirit into work, 🙂
Number one is my favorite! Great post dear!
Xx,
|| FLOORTJELOVES || http://www.floortjeloves.com
Post holiday depression can be real, so agree! I am the same way, I love to continue the celebrations, there’s always something to look forward to and celebrate!
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
Great tips! The post-holiday season can definitely be depressing, but I try to stay as busy as possible, and that helps!
This is great info! It can be somewhat drab and sad this time of year, especially if you’re cooped up indoors from snow and cold weather.
I generally have a lazy time over the holiday season, so in the new year it can take me some time to get back my energy and get back into the swing of things.
I think I’m one of the few people that is actually happy that the holidays are over because I find them kind of overwhelming. That being said, I fully agree with your statement to go for a walk. My husband suffers from seasonal depression and becomes extremely sad when summer ends. We go for regular walks as Fall rolls in and I consciously focus on the beautiful changes and the things to look forward to. It helps him cope.
Yeah, it’s true that winter holidays can turn out quite stressful for a lot of people- especially Mums.
What a nice routine you and your husband have!
This time of year can definitely be a bit drab! But I love your tips. Talking walks and surrounding myself with people I love still are definitely my favorite ways to snap out of it. I’m kind of excited for normal life to continue! I hope you have a great week!
Thank you, Shaylynn! Hope you have a lovely weekend yourself too!
It can be such a sad time after the holidays are over…you spend so much time preparing for a holiday that’s over in the blink of an eye. These are great tips that will definitely help anyone get through that New Year slump!
Such an important post! So happy you wrote about this. It’s always important to ask for help.
Rachel | The Confused Millennial
Great tips! I usually take my time jumping back into my normal routine.
Lucky you, Latonya!
I was sick for almost the whole month of Dec and literally missed christmas eve/day, so I only go the chance to enjoy the holidays for the last few days of Dec. Definitely made me a bit depressed. But it definitely helps to know that it will come soon enough.
I agree that there is always a sort of quiet “what now” after the holidays. I found your tips very helpful. Just the simple act of taking a walk always seems to help me with just about anything.
Great post!! Thank you for these useful tips!! I agree with you when Christmas leave i feel so weird !!
These are great tips to get over the slump! I think it’s something we all feel!
xx
Holly
http://www.styledbyholly.com
I haven’t quite hit the post holiday depression stage. I am actually enjoying the peace and trying to relax after the chaos!
Yes! I definitely have the post-holiday hangover. I’m slowly starting to put things away but I’m definitely going to let the tree linger around a little longer 🙂
There’s definitely a lull after the holiday season – we go from Thanksgiving to Christmas/holiday parties, into Christmas/Eve (or Hanukkah) and then New Year’s. AND THEN NOTHING. To me, it’s making plans these next upcoming weekends in January so you don’t feel like all the fun came to a halt and now you have nothing going on! Good tips!
This is so true! I still have my tree up because taking it down makes me super sad. I plan to take it down next week. We’ll see how I’m feeling.
Hope you’ll be doing well.
I decided to take a painting class. Gets me out, I have meant great people and having fun.
What a great idea! I think a painting class is very relaxing, am I right?
Totally and fun.
Definitely agree, there’s so much build-up to Christmas that it’s sad once it’s over! I just keep reminding myself that time will fly by and I’ll be surprised it that’s time of year again!
So true! There is something weird about Christmas: you’re happy because it’s truly a magical time, but also scared that Christmas basically means that a another year flew by.
This is great advice as the post holiday blues are inevitable.
Yeah post-holidays suck! I want all the christmas magic back. A very useful post. xx
http://www.annanuttall.com
Thank you, Anna!
These are really great tips! I personally don’t deal with post holiday depression, because I don’t celebrate the holidays all that much. I’m also an introvert, so I really love my “me time”and spending time alone, especially after the holidays and being around people.
This is so sweet, and perfect for me today – we’re taking down our Christmas tree and decorations. UGH! I’m already counting down to next year 🙂
xo Kathryn
http://www.fashionablyfrank.com
I hate the week after the Holidays 🙁 we just took down our decorations, I wanted to leave them up but my husband said no way!
We always leave our Christmas tree up for an extra week or two just because it’s so pretty! I think what helps me is that I focus on my birthday which is at the end of January, so I realize there are other things to celebrate in the near future!
xo
Sami
http://www.theclassicbrunette.com
That is so nice! Happy birthday in advance, Sami!