| When you are experiencing the post holidays blues, | | | | equilibrium. Try some of these:l. Make a list of the |
| you can restore your sense of balance and | | | | blessing you received this year. A little gratitude goes |
| contentment by changing your focus to the new year | | | | a long way in reducing depression and disappointment.. |
| ahead. There is such an emotional "build up" with | | | | 2. Make a list of your accomplishments last year. |
| spending so much time, energy, and money on getting | | | | 3. If you are unhappy with the accomplishments of |
| ready for the holidays, only to find yourself sitting in | | | | last year, spend some time and energy figuring out |
| front of a turkey carcass, two piles of dirty dishes, and | | | | what went wrong. |
| a family room full of torn, ragged wrapping papers, | | | | 4. Figure out what your goals for the new year will |
| bows, and empty boxes. What a let down! | | | | be. |
| Many people experience an emotional crash after the | | | | 5. Make sure that your New Year's goals fit your |
| holidays. It may feel like something is missing, or a | | | | own values and are about your own goals--not what |
| sense of sadness or emptiness. Some people | | | | others think you "should" do. |
| experience an agitated nervousness and may have a | | | | 6. Do a values check. Identify the people, things, |
| desire to fix it by spending money, overeating, or some | | | | events that are most important to you and make plans |
| other mood altering behavior or drug. The experience | | | | to spend your time, energy, and other resources on |
| can be like detox after a binge and there be a desire | | | | those. |
| to recreate that spending euphoria experienced during | | | | 7. Get up and move around. Get some exercise. |
| the holiday shopping season. However, relief | | | | Chuck the excuses. Walkers do not have to walk |
| shopping or spending (i.e., "retail therapy") just leads to | | | | outside in the snow. Get creative. Put on some |
| another let down. And your finances may still be | | | | music and dance. |
| reeling from the holiday frenzy. | | | | If these few simple guidelines are ineffective, more |
| To get over the post-holiday blues, there are several | | | | serious mental health issues, like depression or |
| things you can do to rethink, regroup, and regain your | | | | seasonal affective disorder should be ruled out. |