Beating the Post-Holiday Blues

Hopefully, the holiday season was filled with many blessing to appreciate.  We like to think of the holidays as a time of good cheer, family gatherings, tasty food indulgences and spiritual celebration. Realistically, however, it can be a time of disappointment, anxiety, or sadness.

The holidays are often accompanied by a variety of stressors which aggravate unsettled feelings such as an increased use of alcohol by ourselves or others, increased financial burdens, and family conflicts.  Losses during the year or memories of prior loss are felt more acutely during the holidays triggering a plethora of emotions and lingering grief.

Symptoms of post-holiday blues include: disrupted sleep and eating habits, headaches, negative thinking, feelings of guilt and regret, irritability, or anger.

Continued from e-newsletter

Post-holiday Blues are considered more “mental distress” than a mental disorder since it is episodic and usually lasts a short period of weeks rather than a month or longer.  It is different from Seasonal Effective Disorder that usually lasts during the winter months due to shorter days and lack of sunlight and different from “Cabin Fever” that hits later in the winter months.

If you are feeling low after the holidays it is essential to be mindful that post-holiday blues affect many of us.  You are not alone.  Use every effort to break the cycle of depressed feelings and engage in activities that you find to be pleasant.  Plan a simple activity for every day.  Try a drive in the park, an hour at the library, a favorite selection of lively music, make contact with a friend, neighbor or minister, or try a new activity at the senior center.   Exercise, even chair exercise, will help you feel better physically and emotionally.  Try keeping a diary of nice things that happen around you, no matter how small and inconsequential they may seem at the time.  Return to your normal diet and limit sweets, processed foods, and alcohol.  Drink plenty of fluids to remain well hydrated.

Hopefully, you will find the blues slipping away and healthier and happier feelings replacing the negative.

If you find that the symptoms continue into February or March, consider talking to your primary care physician about your concerns.  Short term counseling may also help if there are issues you cannot resolve by yourself and need to discuss with a professional.   No matter what, speak up and advocate for yourself.  Taking action is the key to feeling better and chasing those blues away.