Prepare for Post-Holiday Blues!

Jan 1

Come January 2nd, there is always an increase of information that floats throughout all the TV networks about how to get out of the post-holiday blues. And even though they come packaged between a new hot trend and how to make the best leftover casserole, they do tend to be helpful. We all know that a good healthy diet that isn’t centered around cookies and decadent dinners helps us feel more balanced, which in turn impacts our mental health. And I bet we can’t turn the page on a new year without hearing discussions about how a good night’s sleep helps increase endorphins and overall sense of contentment. But sometimes all those things can feel like a continuation of the rigmarole of the past couple months – another never-ending to-do list, not enough time, and raising the flag of defeat before any of it can truly even begin…

And so here you might sit, staring into your living room, looking at the disaster of items strewn about from the frenzy of the past couple months. You were barely making it through the “finish line” and now that you have, the multi-month-long marathon has finally caught up. You were living in “go-mode”, high cortisol, high adrenaline, and your body got accustomed to it, because it does give a jolt to the system (don’t even get me started on caffeine). But now that things have the opportunity to settle down, you become acutely aware of how exhausted you are, and there is a feeling of loss for the high-paced life you just had.

So, beyond the ever-present dialogue of the importance of food as fuel and sleep as restoration, some important undertones to the lists of tools and tips to help you navigate the post-holiday blues, include integrating your mind, body, and emotions.

Acknowledge the loss and your feelings that go with the post-holiday blues: journal, draw, talk it out with a loved one, whatever helps you name what’s happening for you.
Make positive connections: Connect with a supportive friend/family member (not over text or even the phone). Try to see them in-person or even a video chat so that you can both get the positive connections by getting to see each other’s faces and let those mirror neurons fire and strengthen! Or if you’re feeling more extroverted in 2022, make a new friend!
Move! Whether that means a full-blown workout with your new boot camp trainer, walking your dog, or dancing to your favorite song while cooking dinner, get your body in motion.

Let’s also be aware that these feelings translate to children as well! If you have the opportunity to connect with children in your life, help guide them through these next few days or weeks to develop some healthy and helpful additions to their routines.

Encourage them to play to express emotions. This can look like painting, pretending, or climbing to the top of a tree at a park…ok, maybe not the very top, but close.
Are you calling a family member to video chat? Have your child(ren) join in the conversation. Positive connections are a sure-fire way to boost those serotonin (mood regulator) levels. '
Create space to have open conversations with them to encourage honest thoughts about how they are feeling.

Of course, I could come up with more, but then I’d be adding to that list like all the TV show hosts… and what’s more important than how many tips and tools you have, is how likely you are to use them. My general approach is to pick 2 things I think I can really try out for two weeks that way I can see if they fit for me, what tweaks I would make, or if they better suited for someone else. Regardless, this process gives us real-time practice so that the next time we feel this way, we have some built-in options that will come to us, naturally!