How to Navigate Post-Holiday Blues

By Destinee Rodriguez

For many of us, the holidays are a time to get together with those closest to us. As we celebrate, we create new memories, traditions, and stories to pass down through generations. The holiday season is often filled with highs: running around seeking the perfect gift, enjoying lots of delicious food and sweets, and, most importantly, taking days off from work. During this season, we may find ourselves more joyous, energized, and excited, but what about when the holiday season ends? We may find ourselves lacking motivation and direction, feeling more tired than usual, or simply irritable and moody as the festive lights are shut off and the decorations come down. For those who enjoy the holiday season, these feelings might be strong and challenging to navigate. Let’s explore what post-holiday blues are and how we can effectively navigate them to start our year on the right foot!

What are Post-Holiday Blues? Why does it happen?

The holidays are a time of great excitement for many people. Holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s provide many of us with something to look forward to. Once the holidays come and pass, we may feel an abrupt shift in the energy around us, creating a stark contrast to the festivities. During the holidays, many people may take on extra shifts at work or overextend themselves to ensure a “good” holiday for their family and friends, which can quickly lead to burnout if we aren’t taking good care of ourselves during this time. For some, the holidays can also be filled with disappointment and distress as increased pressure and expectations occupy a significant portion of our minds. If the holiday season did not turn out as we had expected, or if we found it disappointing overall, we may feel upset or sad. Of course, it is crucial to note that during this time of year, the days are short, nights are long, and in most places, the weather is cold and uncomfortable. These various aspects can all impact how we perceive the holidays and indicate whether we might be affected by post-holiday blues. 

Warning Signs of Post-Holiday Blues

There are several clear clinical signs to be aware of regarding post-holiday blues. Although many of these feelings are normal, it is essential to consider when these symptoms begin to impact us and how much they affect our day-to-day lives. Here are some symptoms to be aware of:

• Increased anxiety

• Difficulties with motivation

• Irritability or moodiness.

• Heightened stress

• Feelings of depression and depressive symptoms (appetite changes, sleep disturbances, weight loss, etc.)

• Increased and consistent financial worry. 

If we notice we have begun to spend a lot of time ruminating on the holidays and feeling a deep sense of longing, it may be a good idea to consider speaking to a therapist or another mental health professional. 

I Feel so Down and Blue! What Should I Do?

In the grand scheme of it all, we are inevitably going to feel a little sadder once the high of the holidays wears off. If we recognize that we are experiencing any of the above-listed symptoms, we should consult a mental health and/or medical professional. If we realize we are experiencing an influx of symptoms after the holiday, there are some steps we can take to acclimate to the rapid change. 

Take Time to Recharge: We must be kind, gentle, and patient with ourselves after the holidays. This time is often busy, and one can take a day or two to recover, leaving our suitcase packed for an extra day, or simply taking an additional day off from time-sensitive activities like getting the mail or starting those New Year's resolutions. We can view this time as a buffer to prepare for the new year! We also don’t have to take down our decorations on January 1st if we don't want to!

Connect with Others: It can be beneficial to limit screen time and social media use as we recover from the holidays and instead spend time with those close to us in person. In-person communication can uplift our mood and help us spend time away from our screens, further enhancing our well-being (in addition to many other benefits!)

Taking Good Care of Ourselves: We often hear people say, “New year, new me,” and list numerous unrealistic New Year's resolutions.  Without putting too much pressure on ourselves, we want to make an effort to try to move our bodies physically for at least 30 minutes a day. Moving our bodies is an incredibly powerful and free tool that boosts our mood. It doesn't need to be a New Year's resolution, but we might want to consider it after we begin to feel its positive effects in our own bodies! 

Post-Holiday Blues can be a bummer. The holidays are a special time for many of us, regardless of reason, and coming to terms with the fact that the season has ended can be difficult. It is essential to remember we are not alone if we feel this way, and we need to be kind and gentle with ourselves as we recover. Scheduling things to look forward to is another powerful tool we can use to beat those blues!