Self-heal post-vacation blues tips that everyone needs

The holidays can be a time of joy and relaxation for many people, but when that series of days is over, sadness, loneliness, and fear can easily flare up, sending you into depression.

Dr Naomi Torres-Mackie, a psychologist at Lenox Hill Hospital (USA), explains: “Moving towards something like the holidays can get us excited, but as the event passes, it will leave a feeling of sadness.”

What is “post-vacation blues” syndrome?

According to Health, post-holiday sadness refers to the short-term emotions that individuals experience after the holiday, including sadness, loneliness, fatigue, disappointment, lethargy, mental breakdown or even fear of the days to come.

Dr Nicole Hollingshead, of The Ohio State University Medical Center, explains: “After the holidays are over, people can feel lost or empty without some goal-oriented activity to do to help them focus.”

Causes of depression after the holidays:

According to Paul Nestadt, co-director of the Johns Hopkins Anxiety Disorders Clinic, triggers for post-holiday sadness can vary from person to person. Some people may be bored by the holidays themselves due to high expectations, missing loved ones, family difficulties, and financial burden.

Others enjoying the holiday get large amounts of dopamine and serotonin - two feel-good hormones - after spending time with friends and family. The sudden end of the holiday season can leave them feeling disoriented and in a sad mood.

The holidays at the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year take place at the end of winter and early spring, coinciding with the time when seasonal affective disorder is most prominent. Dr Nestadt said the change between seasons, less daylight, reduced levels of physical activity and increased isolation all contribute to feeling lousy.

Healing methods: 

According to Dr. Nestadt, if you experience depression after the holidays or want to prevent it from happening, there are a few helpful ways:

Get enough sleep: It is necessary to get enough sleep every day, not only to maintain mental health, but also to prevent chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and neurasthenia. Adults from 18 years old and older should get at least 7 hours of sleep each night.

Keep a balanced diet: Increased stress during the holiday season can lead people to seek out foods high in fat and sugar. This then makes it easier to cause more stress or anxiety. To maintain healthy eating habits over the holidays and after, try to add healthier foods, including fruits and fresh vegetables. 

Avoid alcohol and drugs: According to Dr. Nestadt, people who feel sad or anxious can benefit from abstaining from alcohol and drugs. Both of these factors can make negative emotions stronger or harder to control.

Participate in physical activity: The stress of the holiday season, gatherings and hangout schedules easily make people lose their exercise habits. But regular exercise can improve symptoms of depression or anxiety. To stay motivated or start working out again, invite family members or friends to exercise with you, or choose activities you enjoy doing to keep you busy.

Connect with friends or family: Being around people you know helps you feel connected and not alone. Close connections are also helpful in helping you navigate what you're going through. “Your partner may be feeling the same way as you, and sharing your feelings with someone else will dispel the feeling of loneliness.” - says Dr. Torres-Mackie. 

Schedule activities in advance: People are at a higher risk of post-holiday sadness if they don't have something to look forward to. “If you have been focusing on preparing for the holidays over the past few months, ideally you should have something else, such as a trip or activity that you look forward to afterwards. " - explains Dr Hollingshead.

Planning something in advance - big or small - will help you stay motivated after the holidays. You can also try new things you've never done before.

 

According Healthline