Post-Holiday Blues - Nanette M. Holloway

Are you feeling blue after all the holiday cheer? Turns out post-holiday blues is a real thing. Many people experience a downward slump in emotional wellbeing after the hustle and bustle of the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and then the New Year season. That’s lots of celebrating for over a month. Extra, albeit wonderful activities confront us during this period. Family get togethers, Christmas parties, and add to that lots of rich, tasty food.

Then when the house is empty and all is quiet once again, we may feel a letdown.

Our emotions take an upturn during the season to be jolly. Then it all comes to an abrupt halt. We need to readjust to a different reality once again.

After several days of depression, and unable to rekindle my old routine, I knew something was up. Experience tells me I’m probably not the only person going through this. A quick look on the world wide web confirmed what I thought about post-holiday depression.

The Good News

This condition is temporary and should pass soon. But if it does persist and put you into clinical depression you may need to get help from your doctor.

Several things seemed to add to my blues.

My normal routine was upset. Although I love the season, and enjoy cooking, some healthy habits suffered. Like diet and exercise.

I decided to stop writing due to the increase in activities. But then I had difficulty rekindling this norm in my life.

My oldest son and his wife were not here. But thankfully my youngest had time off with us. But now the house is empty once again.

Then add to that overcast skies for a prolonged period resulting in seasonal affective disorder.

You May Feel a Little Blue Too

Maybe those family get-togethers bring the not so happy family together and create tension and unmet expectations.

Or maybe you spent the holiday alone.

All that can lead to disappointment.

Self-Care

is important, and I certainly had to make some adjustments to help me out of my post-holiday slump.

Be gentle with yourself. Others may feel the same way you do. Talk about your feelings with a trusted friend.
Avoid isolation. Get together with a friend for coffee.
Catch some sunshine while you can. When you are outside, (only with your eyes closed), look at the sun. It feels like a mini sun bath.
If you have seasonal affective disorder, try a happy light—that’s my next strategy.
Get outside. The fresh winter air can wake you up.
Exercise daily. Even if you take a brisk ten-minute walk.
Get creative. If you like to cook, like me, find a new recipe to spice up your menu.
If you have difficulty getting creative, take yourself on a create date. For instance, most towns have an “old downtown” that’s interesting. Window shop. Or go on a hike.
Start a daily gratitude list.
Engage in spiritual warfare and reach out to friends for prayer: Put on the armor of God: Ephesians 6:10-18

…Is there anything you would like to add to this list?

I am praying for a Happy New Year for you, my friend. And to alleviate those post-holiday blues.

Scripture for Today

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans15:13 NLT).

Do you need a new calendar for 2024? These features beautiful vineyard photos and various paraphrased scriptures from John 15 and God Whispers from my book: Finding Delight in the Vineyard.