When the Season is Over, Sometimes the Blues Begin
The living room looks bare without the Christmas tree. Relatives and friends have returned back home and to their normal routines. Cheerful decorations have been carefully stored for next year. The only remnant of the holidays is the stack of bills waiting to be paid.
It’s no wonder some people suffer from the post-holiday blues. Calendars go from packed with social events to orderly, empty squares. Memory-making time spent with family and friends is over, and you may be left with feelings of sadness for those who are no longer with us.
It doesn’t help that for much of the U.S., January is a slushy, dark month and not conducive to the exercise you might need after overindulging in food and/or drink. And to add insult to injury, you have to get out of your comfy sweats and get back to work.
Make the Most of the New Year
However, you can take steps to avoid post-holiday feelings of sadness. Here are some things you can do to beat the blues:
- Make some new plans. Invite friends over for a movie night and order pizza or a game night with take-out.
- Get out of the house and go to a comedy or action movie, see a theater production, or visit a museum with someone who shares your interests.
- Get your exercise routine back on track. Find an exercise buddy if you like company or download your favorite tunes and take a stroll around the block or have a private dance party in your living room. Don’t beat yourself up over weight gain; it’s never too late to begin an exercise routine.
- If you’re feeling homesick, or missing distant friends and relatives, make plans for a visit. You don’t have to wait until the holidays to spend time with the ones you love.
- Schedule a massage or manicure, take a long luxurious bath. Give yourself some “me time” that you can look forward to.
- Get your diet back on track too. Make sure you make healthy choices and get enough sleep.
If you’re experiencing feelings of sadness or anxiety that won’t go away, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional at Edgewater Health right away by calling 219-885-4264.
