Holidays can be stressful.  For some, the distress will lift when the holidays end and others may continue to feel unhappy and/or stressed. Some may just begin to feel stressed out.  Some may have enjoyed the holiday season, feeling low when it’s over.

Causes may include:

•       Loss of the sense of joy of the season

•       Separation from loved ones seen during the holidays

•       New Year’s resolutions not kept

• Weight gain and lack of energy from over eating (drinking)

• Debt and overspending

• Relationship conflicts –  that result from the above, and we may love our family but we don’t always like being with them

The familiar symptoms of depression include:

• Lethargy

• Lack of sleep or sleeping too much

• Reduced appetite or eating too much

• Low mood

• Loss of interest in activities

• Lack of concentration

What you can do:

• Use goals instead of resolutions

o Make them practical and attainable

o Be kind to yourself in working toward them

• Eat healthy – taking weight off slowly is healthier and has better results

• Do what’s necessary for your financial life – seek counsel if needed

• If the depression symptoms persist, see your provider

After the holidays, we can feel the loss of increased support we received from  family and friends throughout the season. We may experience feeling low or “blue.”  We are no longer caught up in getting a million and one things done, so we need to find things to look forward to in the upcoming winter days.

•   Invite friends for dinner (have a potluck) or evening of games.

• Visit a shut-in or someone in a nursing home--it will brighten your day and theirs.

• Invite a friend to go out together and let him/her choose the activities.

• Spend some time with family members reflecting on the holidays.

• Start a new activity.  Look for free classes on things that interest you.

• Replace holiday decorations with fresh flowers or a new plant. 

Having a plan in place before the holidays for what you will do after the holidays can help you avoid that post-holiday let-down or at least help you get through it more easily.