Beating the Blues

We are nearing the end of January, and for many of us, school is back in session and already hitting hard. For others, the next paid holiday seems years away, and PTO has likely been drained significantly! The bottom line is that January often has people snapping back out of the holiday-fueled reverie and getting back to “real life," causing what some people have termed the “post-holiday blues”.

Post-holiday blues can be a real issue, with the biting cold pushing people indoors and many tiring responsibilities to catch up on. Those limitations don’t mean that the season requires everyone to be down! Here are some ways to combat the blues:

1. Talk to someone in person: Since holidays are often filled with community, family, or just more frequent socializing, feelings of loneliness and isolation afterward can be much harder to bear. Talking with one person - a coworker, classmate, or even the cashier at the store - can be a stimulating social experience that keeps our brains engaged with reality.

2. Get some fresh air: The chill outdoors is certainly daunting. That being said, breathing in fresh air is objectively good for our bodies. With all the time spent indoors during winter, even spending five minutes by a cracked-open window or going for a quick romp in the snow can be refreshing for the lungs. Just stay warm!

3. Cook a meal for yourself: While it can be tempting to take the easy way out and microwave dinner, we all know that isn’t the most nutritious or satisfying meal. If you’re capable, make something special for yourself. Even if it's a bowl of spaghetti or a grilled cheese, the experience of making a meal and eating it takes low effort and provides high reward.

4. Plan a future day-trip: Even though you may not be able to take a week-long vacation right now, day-trips are a perfect way to reinvigorate your excitement for life. Anywhere within a 1-4 hour radius that you can explore counts as a good day-trip location. Walk around a mall and shop, try a new restaurant, or just do some sightseeing!

5. Focus on personal health/wellbeing: In your spare time, use the gloomy months to refocus on the things that make you feel good. Sometimes holidays end up being a drain, and a great way to combat that is by establishing daily or weekly self-care rituals. A nice hot shower, a 15-minute exercise routine, or lighting your favorite candle nightly are some ideas to help re-sync your body and mind.

As an additional reminder, while being down after the holidays can be normal, be self-aware and cautious regarding symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (commonly called seasonal depression). If you believe you or a loved one is experiencing worsened mental health issues, please get in touch with a therapist, crisis hotline, or other healthcare provider. 

These tips can be followed in many ways, depending on your lifestyle and preferences. As they all fall under the umbrella of self-care, it's also safe to assume that some of your current self-care habits may help as well. Either way, winter can be tough for many reasons, one of which is post-holiday blues, so lock in and focus on the things that work for you! Take care this winter!