7 Tips to Overcome Post-Holiday Blues

Holidays are one of the most awaited periods of the year. Days we look forward to it with great anticipation. We simply cannot wait to put our regimented and routine-based lifestyle behind us. And live life for what it basically is.

Due to the holiday's intense emotion, we sometimes find it uncomfortable transitioning to our old, orderly lifestyle when the holidays are over.

This feeling varies for different people. Some shake it off within weeks, while for some, it takes longer than normal, bringing about feelings like depression

It is common to feel gloomy and uncomfortable in the days following the holidays, a condition known as the Post-Holiday Blues.

According to The Mirror, 57% of British travelers reported experiencing post-holiday blues.

Further, scientists found a decrease in psychiatric emergency services and suicide attempts/completions during the Christmas holiday in a study known as "The Christmas Effect on Psychopathology." However, they found an increase after the Christmas holiday. This provides a clue about the devastating effect of Post-Holiday Blues.

It does not matter if you had a great time at the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean or Gran Canaria Island in Spain; we are all susceptible to these feelings.

In short, this is the brain's way of transitioning between two different experiences.

While your holidays may not have been as wonderful as you hoped, your brain exaggerates the reality during the holiday season, making the return to normal much more depressing than it actually is.

To overcome this wrecking feeling, here are a few things you must do: 

1. Mindset shift

 

This discomforting feeling sprouts from the mind. And funny enough, the solution often lies in mind as well. When you understand your moody feeling results from your transition to your routine or normal life, you can get a hold of the situation and easily break out, restoring your mental health in the process.

It’s also important to note that the longer your holiday trip lasts, the more intense the Post-Holiday Blues may be. So, brace up.

2. Make plans for the future

 

As much as we personally cherish exciting moments, our brains also delight in them. Hence, planning a future event deceives our brain into believing there is something great to hope for. This way, we look forward rather than backward.

3. Talk to someone you care about

 

Engaging in a physical or on-phone discussion with someone you love can be a game-changer. It's so therapeutic.

In addition, intimate conversations can significantly impact your psychological well-being. However, mere texting might not be as effective.

Engaging with friends and families who matter to you can provide much-needed inspiration.

4. Eat healthily

 

Diet plays a role in our mood.

The sugary and alcoholic diets you thrive on during the holiday may negatively impact our general health. Alcohol is a well-known depressant, and research has also found a correlation between junk food and depression.

So, unsurprisingly, after a long overindulgence during the holidays, we might not be feeling our best afterward.

Hence, eating nutrient-dense food such as vegetables and fruits can be crucial to improving your psychological well-being.

5. Get enough sleep and plenty of rest

 

The degree of planning and preparation that goes into a holiday can be overwhelming. Besides that, the stress of traveling, packing your luggage, and the like can be exhausting.

Hence, getting enough sleep before transitioning into your routine should not be taken lightly.

Take a day or two to rest and unwind before returning to normal routines.

6. Take a walk

 

Though it may sound ridiculous, it sure works fire.

Studies have proven that taking a stroll can tremendously impact one's general well-being. Hence, it is medically advisable we engage in such an act from time to time.

Also, research has it that nature therapy is critical to overcoming depression and mental health-related issues. Simply walking through a green field or artificial forest can restore your mental health and get you back into shape.

7. Take It Easy On Yourself

 

Give it time. Don't just unpack your stuff and begin your routine after a vacation. Instead, set up a day or two as catch-up time.

Many people hold their self to a very high standard. And fail to care for themselves as they should. Such an act is not self-care. Care for yourself. You are human, not a machine. So, treat yourself like an empathetic human would.

Conclusion

 

In the end, we should not dread post-holiday blues. Anyone can experience this moody feeling. So do not beat yourself too much. Engage in self-care. Acknowledge the situation. Acknowledge the feeling. Take your time and be patient with yourself during your healing process. And watch yourself get back into shape.

A Note from WeSnapThat

 

Holidays are marked with great excitement and joy. It's a time when one relaxes with family we rarely see, and friends far away from us, and meets great people. It's often a period where we take photos, which turns out to be a highlight of our life, with families and friends.

With WeSnapThat, a FREE photo-sharing app, you won't have to worry about losing your memorable photos as the app will back them up in an unlimited space bank.

Try out our free photo sharing app today. And you will not regret doing so.