If you’re feeling the post-Christmas and holiday blues, then I want you to know that you are not alone. The post-holiday blues refer to the feelings of emptiness, sadness and other negative emotions like loneliness, fatigue, low energy, insomnia, irritability, disappointment, sluggishness and lack of motivation that many people (especially women like yourself) experience after the Christmas season has come to a close (or also after you’ve enjoyed some fun in the sun away from your daily life). The good news, though, is that these feelings are generally short-lived, so are not deemed to be depression or long-term anxiety states, simply seasonal symptoms that many people experience after all of the festivities. That’s because this type of blues happen because of the sudden withdrawal of stress hormones after a significant social event, like the holidays.
Therefore, in order to work through these low feelings, it’s recommended that you prioritise your self-care, talk to (or better yet see in person) supportive close family or friends individuals, learn to embrace moments of quiet and solitude, and also engage in activities that bring you relaxation and, most importantly, joy.
How Can I Beat These Blues?
You might want to start by revising your to-do lists to review and schedule in self care and recreational activities, which will also acknowledge and remind you that you need to have more fun in your life.
In order to prevent the post-holiday blues from getting worse, you can implement the following strategies to help you cope better:
1. Practice Healthier Lifestyle Habits
Good quality sleep, regular exercise and a nutrient-dense diet are all recommended to boost your mood and overall well-being, no matter what time of the year. So, even having a good declutter of your bedroom and rest of your living space will help you to reduce the low lying stress of having to look at things in your surroundings that give you anxiety, like piles of clothing that needs washing or magazines that you’ll never read again. This means that tidying your bedroom will help you have a more restful sleep, while decluttering your kitchen cupboards will support you in eating more healthily, which will make you feel better and give you the energy you need to exercise more.
When you eat a nutritious and healthier diet, it will alleviate your post-holiday blues, because you will be giving your body the essential nutrients it needs to support your overall well-being. Eating nutrient-dense foods, such as vegetables, fruits and proteins will also improve your mood and energy levels. Plus, when you avoid sugary and highly processed foods, you will stabilise your blood sugar levels, which will further impact your mood and energy for the better. In addition, daily physical activity will stimulate the release of endorphins, which are the feel-good hormones that can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Regular physical activity will also help you to sleep better and boost your confidence, which will both contribute to alleviating your post-holiday blues.
If you fancy a quick no-obligation chat about how you can get started with a personalised healthy eating and fitness plan to begin your new year on the right foot, then I’m here to help! CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR NO-OBLIGATION CHAT or call/text me on 07748 298728.
2. Maintain Social Connection with Friends and Family
What better way to practice Dry January with you closest family and friends than to have get togethers totally sober? Do things together that you wouldn’t normally do, such as grabbing a coffee, going for a country walk or maybe even playing a board game like you did when you were younger? Maintaining social connections with those that you love and trust will help to alleviate feelings of loneliness and sadness. And even if you can’t meet in person, you can plan these activities in advance and schedule in online dates, because simply talking to someone you enjoy being around will help to uplift your mood instantly!
3. Embrace Moments of Solitude
If you’re a people person, then the cold dark and sometimes miserable nights of January after all the lights and decorations have come down can cause your post-holiday blues. However, these dark nights can also be used to allow yourself some much needed time for relaxation and self-reflection. For example, you could use the time to schedule in a practice of writing in a gratitude journal. Gratitude is an emotion that works wonders to help lift your mood, because you’re only focusing on positive aspects of your life. You can start by listing 3 things a day that you’re grateful for and why. Maybe even purchase a new beautiful journal and pen that you love to write with, which will help you to look forward to doing your gratitude practice each day. Another way to embrace your solitude is to breathe properly. Most of us don’t breathe into our diaphragms as we’re supposed to, which actually helps to perpetuate stress and feelings of unease. Simply taking a few moments each day to focus on your breath will help to promote a sense of calm, as well as reduce your stress levels, so consider incorporating mindful breathing exercises into your daily routine like these.
4. Plan For The Future
Planning some activities after the holidays can give you things to look forward to in January and February, which will also help to ease the feelings of being blue. Make a list of what activities you enjoy doing and then plan to do at least one of them once a week. And if you can get a friend to join you, even better, because the accountability of having a companion to enjoy yourself with will lift your mood even faster. Also ensure that you stay fully present in the current moment of your fun activity, whether that be eating, walking or engaging in another experience. If you focus on the present moment, you’ll savour the experience even more.
The time that it takes to see your post-holiday blues lifting away can vary, but by engaging in mindfulness practices like meditation, mindful eating and movement like yoga or tai chi, you will not only improve focus and enhance your emotional resilience, but also boost your mental well-being within weeks — or even days — especially if you’re also doing activities like planning small, fun getaways or learning something new at a local night class.
Help Is At Your Fingertips
If you’re in need af a little extra help to support you through your post-holiday blues process, then I why not try this supplement, which I’ve been using to deal with the stress I’ve had in recent months — NutriCalm by Nature’s Sunshine. When we’re stressed or emotionally down, our bodies become depleted of vitamins, so NutriCalm will give your body the Vitamin C and B-Complex water soluble vitamins it needs to support a healthy nervous system, keep your brain functioning at its best and give you a natural energy boost. NutriCalm also includes the ancient medicinal herb, chamomile, which is widely used for its calming properties and can also help to alleviate other symptoms, including anxiety, inflammation and insomnia, as well as aid in digestion, muscle spasms, menstrual disorders and gastrointestinal issues.
This helpful supplement is also yeast free and has been formulated to be suitable for both vegetarians and vegans, while its plentiful levels of vitamins and chamomile will help to replenished your body on a daily basis during times of emotional stress, which in the long term can alter your metabolic process.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NUTRICALM
And even if you decide not to go down the supplement route, make sure that you’re prioritising your sleep during this time, because getting enough adequate and restful slumber will go a long way in helping your to shake off the blues during daylight hours, when you should also get outside and breathe in some fresh air, which is well known to be beneficial to your mental wellbeing.
However, by integrating the practices mentioned above, you can proactively work to release your post-holiday blues while also incorporating good habits into your routine that will help you to maintain a more balanced and fulfilling life for the rest of the year to come!
I hope you’ve found this blog helpful, because incorporating these tips and natural remedies into your routine will help you to proactively address and alleviate your post-holiday blues symptoms. Plus, spring will be here sooner than you know it!
Love, Gaynor x
