How To Conquer the Post-Holiday Blues

It’s over. The holidays are behind us. The stress and excitement of holiday travel, potentially missed flights, unruly family and endless socializing have come to an end. At least on this level.

It’s not unusual for someone to feel let down after living through the highs of the holiday frenzy. Elementary and junior high kids are going back to school; college kids are leaving home once again, and the house seems empty after it has been filled with Christmas trees, decorations and garland from top to bottom. The house is quiet, and the rooms are empty. You would think it would be a relief to get back to a normal routine, but in fact, it can feel a little—or a lot—lonely. So how do we settle back in and make everything feel routine again? Keep reading for my tips on managing the post-holiday blues.

How To Conquer the Post-Holiday Blues

Get Out and Move

Research shows that outdoor physical activity lowers a person’s heart rate and blood pressure. Moving outdoors feels as if you are exerting less effort while inching towards your maximum intensity level. There is plenty of scientific proof that sunshine lightens your mood and reduces your stress level while also giving you plenty of vitamin D and lifting your spirits at the same time.

Try Something New

Mixing up your routine by stepping out of your comfort zone can be challenging but fun. Recruit a friend and visit a local playground. Use your body weight to train on the monkey bars, ropes and workout equipment. Take ice-skating lessons or go for a light hike. Learn a new language or take a cooking class. Join a club where you will meet new friends.

Rely on a Friend for Support (and Be a Good Friend)

Friendships enrich your life and can improve your health. According to the Mayo Clinic, strong adult social support reduces the risk of health problems, including depression, blood pressure and an unhealthy body mass index. In addition, a good friend can be a positive role model while improving your self-confidence, helping you deal with life‘s difficult moments and providing you with valuable feedback. This may be the time for you to ask for complete honesty from a friend or two. Is there anything you should change or work on in 2022?

Choose Quality Over Quantity

More is not always better. When it comes to friends, things and food—quality matters. Be selective in your circle. Remove the toxins, which include friendships, overspending frivolously and ingesting foods and drinks which are not good for you. It’s a white umbrella, and you have a lifetime to work on it. Start today.

Sleep Well

Prioritize sleep and set your alarm at a reasonable hour to avoid being rushed in the morning. If you find it challenging to get to sleep or sleep soundly, be proactive about finding relief. Give yourself enough time to have a good breakfast and your morning coffee or tea. Avoid checking emails as soon as you wake up.

Mentally Get Back to Work

Sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. Improving your mental health at work can be difficult when routine stressors trigger you. Whether you are back to work in your own home or physically returning to the office, your brain must switch to a professional mode which takes mental discipline. Use the first half hour at the office upon your return after the holidays to dust off your desk, collect all of the greeting cards and store them or toss them. Say hello to your coworkers and take a look at your calendar. Go through your inbox to make sure you have not missed something important over the past couple of weeks that needs your attention. Flag what needs to be addressed immediately.

Reconnect

Take time to have lunch with coworkers and reinvest in work relationships. Send out notes to clients, letting them know you are available if they need you. It’s much like housekeeping in your home. When you are organized, you are more productive and in control. Don’t forget a healthy snack to fight off the afternoon lows.

Clean Up Your Mess

If there is anything that is nagging or troubling you, take care of it once and for all. Make the apology, write a thank you note or send the outstanding payment. For example, I had a toll charge of $1.12, and I could not figure out how to pay it online. I called the 800 number and continued to try and login and could never figure out my pass code. By procrastinating, I got a $12 late fee the following month. I should’ve sent a $1.12 check and been done with it! It’s easier to clean up your mess than to dwell on the frustration. Full disclosure: I still don’t know how to pay that darn fee online! Ugh.

Reassess

If what usually works post-holidays isn’t lifting your mood, there is no shame in seeking professional help. They can help you assemble a new toolkit for managing triggers as you pave a new way forward.

Recommit

In addition to incorporating exercise, the new year brings new energy for adopting healthier habits. Pin your heart away as you create new recipe boards, or gift yourself an afternoon of watching healthy recipe videos before making a new grocery list. Recruit a friend or family member to join you in the kitchen as you modify your favorite dishes with plenty of fresh ingredients. You’ll notice the energy boost right away.

You may also like my SA Living segment about Creating a Productive Morning Routine. Be sure to check out The Protocol School of Texas. Read Diane’s posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.