591-How to Be Happy After the Holidays

The weeks after the holiday season can be hard after living on a rollercoaster of hype and emotions for over a month. In this episode of Everyday Happiness, we discuss some tips on how to be happy after the holidays are over!

 

Transcript:

 

Welcome to Everyday Happiness where we create lasting happiness, in about 2 minutes a day,  through my signature method of Intentional Margins® (creating harmony between your to-dos and your priorities), happiness science, and musings about life. 

 

I'm your host Katie Jefcoat, and I’ll be honest; I adore the holidays, but there is undoubtedly a sense of relief when they are over. For many of us, the holidays last from Thanksgiving to the New Year. For over a month, we experience a near constant hustle as we prepare, an overwhelming amount of peopling, and likely an intense rollercoaster of emotions ranging from joy to even loneliness. After the last decoration is put away and we recover from New Year’s Eve partying, it can be easy to fall into the post-holiday blues.  Unless you celebrate carnival season, because then Mari Gras season is right around the corner.  But, let’s assume we don’t go all out for Mardi Gras.  

 

What are the post-holiday blues? They are a down period immediately after the holiday season where people can sink into an unpleasant or unhealthy mindset. Most of those who get it often swing back to normal afterward, but for others, it can take a bit longer. Common signs of the post-holiday blues include feeling anxious, unmotivated, irritable, lonely, stressed, or depressed. You may also have insomnia, worry about money, ruminate more than average, or simply be in a bad mood.

 

Fortunately, there are ways to fight the post-holiday blues and be happy after the holiday season ends. The first step is to recognize that you are not alone. The post-holiday blues are super common, even if people don’t talk about it much, so give yourself some grace. After, it is recommended to try the following tips:

 

#1: Give yourself an extra day to get caught up. Whether that is cleaning the house or getting the mail!

 

#2: Get back into a healthy routine. The holidays can promote bad behaviors, so now is the time to exercise, get plenty of sleep, and practice a balanced diet. 

 

#3: Get outside. A bit of nature therapy can go a long way!

 

#4: Share your feelings with others. If you are feeling those post-holiday blues, don’t be afraid to talk about them. Share your feelings with your spouse, a close friend, or a therapist. Sometimes simply getting it out there is the first step to healing.

 

#5: Give yourself and your family something to look forward to. With all the hype of the holidays, the period after can seem monotonous and uneventful. I recommend planning something small but fun for your family to look forward to. It would be as big as a vacation, a Saturday of mini-golf, or a family movie marathon.

 

#6: This is one of my favorites; do something nice for someone else! By performing a random act of kindness for someone else, you can boost their happiness and yours. Remember, kindness is contagious! 

 

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Links:  https://onamission.bio/everydayhappiness/

 

Inspired by:

• https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-the-post-holiday-blues-5214403
• https://theeverygirl.com/feel-happy-post-holiday-blues/