The new year is here and we are a couple of weeks into 2025! Yet, some people may be feeling what is referred to as the post holiday blues, or maybe even experiencing symptoms of depression. Why is it so hard to get back into our normal routine after the holidays and end of the year? One reason may be that the holidays are physically, emotionally, and financially draining. According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) 64% of people with mental illness report being affected by holiday depression, with 24% of this group reporting that the holidays made their condition “a lot worse” and 40% reporting that the holidays made their condition “somewhat worse.” In addition, NAMI states that
- 68% experience financial strain.
- 66% experience loneliness.
- 63% experience “too much pressure”.
- 55% report reflecting back on happier times.
Why we feel depressed after the holidays and what we can do about it is the focus of the remainder of this post.
Why Do We Feel Depressed After The Holidays?
According to HealthCentral there are two main reasons why once the holidays are over and we return to our normal routine our lives seem filled with more anxiety and/or depressive tendencies.
First, we are emotionally exhausted. Navigating all of the demands of the holidays is tiring, and oftentimes there is no time to rest and catch up. Most people prepare themselves for the holiday stress and fast pace. However, when the holidays are over, we have used most of our energy and coping mechanisms, and are not just physically tired and weak, but emotionally tired and weak as well.
Second, our diet plays a role in how we physically and emotionally feel. Usually during the holidays we consume higher rates of sugar and alcohol. This is not the best for our health and diet. Thus, it is not surprising that after the holiday season (which is over a month long) our overindulgence has caught up to us, negatively impacting how we physically and emotionally feel.
How To Get Over Post Holiday Blues?
If you think you may be experiencing post holiday blues there are some things you can do. HealthCentral provides a few simple and basic steps for getting over the post holiday blues.
- Take care of yourself by getting quality sleep and regular exercise, and eating a nutrient dense diet.
- Schedule time for fun that includes social interaction. After all of the holiday parties it is easy to isolate, especially if feeling down. Don’t do it….get out and meet people in person for activities you enjoy.
- Take it easy on yourself and be patient. The post holiday blues won’t last forever, but give yourself some time to adjust. However, if your symptoms do not dissipate see your healthcare provider.
Both Loma Linda University Health and Sydea Medical Practice offer a few other strategies to work through the blues. In addition to the above they suggest
- Sticking to a routine
- Doing activities you genuinely enjoy
- Staying hydrated
- Embracing solitude
- Planning ahead
- Prioritizing daylight
- Don’t ignore grief
As with many topics we have written about in this blog, taking care of yourself goes a long way in staying physically and emotionally healthy.
Summary
The holidays are always a busy time of year, leaving us physically and emotionally exhausted. The post holiday blues are not uncommon and are a natural response to the end of this very busy season. These blues are so common that there is even a movie titled New Year Blues. The blues are different from Seasonal Affective Disorder and Depression. To read more about these conditions visit our blog page and scroll through the posts to learn more. It may take a few weeks into the new year for the blues to go away and for you to feel your normal self again. However, if your symptoms persist, seek professional help. And remember, getting outdoors is a great way to give your mental health a boost!
