I don’t know about you but there is so much energy and anticipation leading up to Christmas that when the last present is opened and we are back home, just the 4 of us, I get a little blue. The post-Christmas period can leave many of us feeling down. Christmas and the holidays can be amazing: parties, beautiful lights, music, great food, seeing loved ones, gifts, and the general feeling of generosity and good will. Many people find meaning and happiness around the holiday season.
However, once December 25th turns into December 26th, post-Christmas depression sets in. You’re back to work, everyone is grumpy, the tree goes down, the light displays are turned off, and you wonder how you managed to put on fifteen pounds!
Thankfully, there are ways to get your spirits back up after the holidays. Here are 7 tips for beating the post-Christmas blues.
Make a plan
After the excitement of Christmas, going back to a regular daily routine is enough to lower anybody’s spirits. A good way to alleviate this feeling is to create something to look forward to. Depending on your budget and lifestyle, this could be anything from planning a night out to booking a trip away. Whatever you plan, make sure it is something you will really look forward to, then start counting down the days. For the past couple of years, Santa has given my kids a trip to GWL in early January before school resumes. This gives us all something to look forward to.
journal
Christmas might be over, but the hope of things to come in the new year is on the horizon. Make a plan for the year. Jot down personal and professional goals for 2022. Not resolutions. Goals. After you brain dump your goals for the new year, make a plan. Write out steps to get there. Thinking about what can happen in 2022 can bring back some of the excitement that you experienced in the build-up to Christmas. It can help you fight the post-Christmas blues.
move your body
Although feeling blue is unlikely to put you in the mood to exercise, getting up and active is actually one of the best things you can do for yourself. Exercise not only releases mood boosting endorphins, but if weight gain is one of the things getting you down following Christmas it will help you to quickly shift those excess pounds. Get out in the fresh air for a run, or go on a hike in nature or hit the mall and return gifts. Pro Tip: Use your phone or a pedometer to track your steps. Aim for 7500- 10,000 per day.
take down the tree
A festive season has just passed. Usually, the Christmas tree is placed in the heart of the home… which can be a frequent and sad reminder that Christmas is over. Take down the tree, clean your house and revel in the joy of the extra space you’ve just created. Our family tradition is to burn the Christmas tree on New Year’s Eve. It makes for a fun Christmas bonfire. Some places also do Christmas Tree recycling. Check with your town.
take a day
You’ve been busy with get-togethers, present wrapping, shopping and events. Take a relaxation day for yourself. Stay in your pajamas all day and chill! Read a book, watch some movies, take a hot bath and unwind. Enjoy the peace and quiet of your home.
Even kids need a break after Christmas. Designate a day free of commitments and allow your children the time to explore their new toys.
give
Christmas is a time for giving. But giving doesn’t have to end on December 25th. Giving lifts spirits; It blesses the person who gives as well as the person who receives. It doesn’t matter if it is the giving of time, talent or treasure. Continue spreading Christmas Joy by volunteering for a local charity, making a donation to a local animal shelter or adopting a child overseas. You could even clean out your closet and donate gently worn clothing to a local charity. Find something that brings you Joy and go for it.
learn something new
Picking up a new hobby will help distract you from anything else going on. Take up knitting, learn a new language, take a course or even just decide to go for a walk three times a week. You will be surprised how taking a little bit of time for yourself will be invaluable to how you feel; helping you overcome the post-Christmas blues.
Unless Jesus comes back in the next few days, December 26th is inevitable. Many of us will experience post-holiday blues in varying degrees. Thankfully, by choosing some of the items on this list, you can get through the slump with a little more joy.
