Now that the wonderful holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day are all over and done, normal life has resumed. If you enjoy your life, then this is probably not a problem. However it you are not happy with your current situation, then it can quickly leave you with what millions of people experience every year…Post-Holiday Depression.
Not too long ago, I used to experience this type of feeling each year. Reason was that I lived far enough away from my relatives and old friends that I rarely got to see them. Being so, when it was time to pack up and head back home, I immediately began to miss them and would wish that I didn’t have to leave. This would send me spiraling into a unjoyful blue season of depression.
The problem wasn’t traveling back to my daily life. It was that I had very little joy and excitement to look forward to when I got there. So, I would become like so many others after all the holiday time and cheer was over. I would get down and blue.
The good news is that I eventually found a cure. What was it? I found purpose! That was the problem the whole time! I felt that my life was just another existence on the planet of no hope and with no real reason for being.
Once I understood that this thought of myself was nothing close to the truth, I began to make changes. I began to believe in myself and my God. Along with those changes, I started to gain understanding of my purpose which has led me straight to the positive lifestyle I live today!
Good news is that now, when holidays are over, I look forward to getting back to “normalcy.” I enjoy getting back to a set schedule to focus on my goals, dreams, and purpose in life!
You may experience similar feelings but it may be for different reasons. Post-Holiday Depression is common among millions of people each year. Some are very minor like the ones I lived while others can quickly become so severe, that serious health issues form.
- Your Holidays were not as joyful as they have been in the past and you feel like you missed out.
- A close friend or relative passed away last year and this was the first holiday season without them.
- Your job is just a job with no real purpose other than making money and now it is back to that “grind.”
- After all of the excitement is done and over, your daily normal starts back where it left off.
- Starting with November, you are looking forward to three big celebrations with friends and family but now there is nothing to look forward to anytime soon.
- Credit card statements arrive and so does the reality of having to pay for everything.
- You gained weight from all the food and desserts and now you feel fat and out of shape.
- You found out after 35 years that Santa Claus does not have a Rudolf to pull his sleigh. Nope, there never was a red-nosed reindeer. Bummer.
The great news is that there are many ways to overcome these Post-Holiday Blues. As I mentioned earlier, for my life it was as simple as finding my purpose. However, for you it could be many other things. So below is a small list to get you started on finding a cure.
- Volunteer
- Focus on new resolutions…quickly!
- Exercise
- List out short and obtainable monthly goals
- Seek out new career possibilities
- Learn something new
- Take an online college course
- Become active in your church
- Bless someone unexpectedly
- Clean your garage…that one is for me
Know that you are not alone when dealing with depression of any type. There is help for everyone and for any severity. If you suffer from extreme depression, please seek help. There are people who truly do care and want to see you happy again.
If you are just dealing with the blues of the after holiday extravaganzas, then I encourage you to take a look into curving those feelings. I know you probably don’t feel like it but I also know from experience that once you jump in and start, you will feel wonderful!
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