Tips for managing post holiday blues
The holidays are full of festivities and treasured times. Visiting with friends and family has come to an end and everyone has gone home to leave you to your peace. However, when it all comes to an end, and you begin to face the quiet that descends upon your life, depression and boredom can quickly emerge and overshadow the fun times and holiday goodwill. By contrast, the quiet seems intense, and the lack of constant activity may leave a gaping hole that needs to be filled.
Once you have recovered sufficiently from all the partying and company, get started on a plan for the next week. This is a just an interim plan until you get your bearings for a longer term plan.
Make a to-do list of some chores around the house that you have neglected and put them on the schedule for the week.
Write and send thank you notes.
Make a list of books that you have been wanting to read and visit your local library to check one out.
Plan wholesome nutritious meals for the week and make a grocery list.
Plan a coffee date with a friend.
Find one or two closets or drawers to clean out and make a charity donation run.
If you are a into crafts, stop at the hobby store and pick up a small project to work on during the week.
These suggestions can be tweaked to fill your first week but keep it pretty simple. The idea is to distract yourself while doing something productive but not overly demanding.
After the first week, there is still work to do if you want to keep up the pace. This is an excellent opportunity to consider some thoughtful changes to your life or just some simple modifications in an otherwise mundane routine. There is no need to make an onerous list of self-improvement tasks and lengthy to-do lists. Keep it simple and work within some broad paradigms of healthy and helpful changes.
Make a list of friendships you want to nurture and friendships that may have become baggage.
Write down a few skills that you would like to master this year.
Evaluate your health and make a list of ways that you can live a healthier life.
Consider joining a club or organization that comports with your values and interests.
Reflect on your spiritual life and contemplate exploring a deeper more meaningful journey this year.
Lack of activity after the holidays can be an excellent time to rest, relax and have some time of self-reflection but intersperse self-reflection with times of activity and goal setting. Get yourself up and out of the house each day even if it is for a cup of coffee with a friend or a visit to a pet store. Consider a visit to a garden center to buy a plant or a bouquet of flowers, and while you are buying one for yourself, buy one for a friend who may also be a little depressed. When you go to bed at night, spend some time counting your blessings.
