What are the Post-Holiday Blues?

Do you feel a little blue?

The holiday season is often filled with excitement, celebration, and time spent with family and friends. However, once you return home, the last gift is unwrapped, and the parties are over; many people find themselves feeling down or even a little lost.

This feeling, often referred to as the Post-Holiday Blues, can be surprisingly common, but it is rarely talked about. So, if you’re feeling a bit of a letdown after the festivities, you’re not alone.

What Are the Post-Holiday Blues?

Have you had such a good time on holidays that you suddenly feel sad, upset, and filled with anxiety when it's over?

You might be experiencing the Post-Holiday Blues (or Post-Vacation Blues or Post-Travel Depression).

This phenomenon refers to an emotional period where people experience depression, sadness, irritability, stress, anxiety, lack of motivation, or fatigue that arises after the excitement and energy of the holidays have ended.

It typically occurs in the days or weeks after the holidays have ended. For many, this feeling starts to set in after Christmas or New Year’s Day, once the excitement of the celebrations has died down and the reality of returning to work or school kicks in.

This arises because the sudden return to “everyday life” creates a sense of disappointment or melancholy, especially after the high-energy, socially rich atmosphere of the holidays. It can also be described as holiday depression or a "Christmas effect". 

While this is very common, some individuals really sink into this period for a prolonged timeframe. The duration of the Post-Holiday Blues varies from person to person. For some, it may last only a few days, while for others, it can linger for a few weeks.

Now, it’s not a formal mental health condition, but it can certainly affect one’s overall well-being. However, if it lingers for weeks, it may be a sign of a more serious condition.

Fortunately, understanding what causes these blues and how to manage them can help you navigate this challenging time with more ease.

What Causes the Post-Holiday Blues?

Several factors contribute to the Post-Holiday Blues. Often, it's a combination of psychological, social, and physiological elements that create this feeling:

• Fantasy vs. Reality: There are lots of expectations during the holidays. There’s joy, relaxation, and fulfillment. But it's not reality; it’s merely a period of fantasy and excitement. When the break is over, the stark contrast between the anticipation of the holidays and the reality of daily life can create a sense of emptiness or dissatisfaction.
• Sudden Lifestyle Change: The sudden “change” from lying on the beach, sitting on the couch, having fun, or returning to work or school is significantly confronting. Lots of people struggle with this sudden change.
• Social Withdrawal: The holidays often involve increased socializing, such as family gatherings, parties, and community events. Afterward, the abrupt return to routine can feel isolating, leading to feelings of loneliness or disconnection.
• Financial Stress: Holidays, as much fun as they are, can be very costly. And that takes a financial toll on people because when they return home, they realize how much they’ve spent. The aftermath of overspending can leave individuals and families feeling stressed or anxious about their finances in the future.
• Return of Structure: Holidays often bring a break from routine, which leads to people feeling excited and carefree. Because of a lack of structure, people embraced the freedom that they had during this period. But when this break ends, the return to work or school can feel overwhelming, highly anxious, and stressful.

It could be a combination of one of these reasons, and you’ll know if you experience post-holiday blues if you notice any of the signs below.

Signs of Post-Holiday Blues

The symptoms of this post-vacation depression can vary, but they generally manifest as a temporary mood dip that includes some of the following signs:

• Sadness or Disappointment
• Stress or Anxiety
• Fatigue or Low Energy
• No Motivation
• Social Withdrawal
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Feelings of Emptiness
• Feeling Let Down After Extreme Emotions
• Loneliness
• Regret or Guilt
• Changes in Sleep
• Loss of Appetite
• Trying to Relive the Holiday Experience
• Keep Up Decorations too Long (Especially for Christmas)

As you might have noticed, many of these signs overlap with depression itself. So, how can you tell the difference between post-vacation blues and something more serious?

Post-Holiday Blues vs Depression

Although there are similarities between Post-Holiday Blues and depression, there are some key differences that should be noted to determine which one you might be experiencing yourself. Let’s take a look at them below:

• Duration: It’s the key factor. Typically, Post-Holiday Blues last only a few days to a few weeks, and most importantly, it’s directly to the end of the holidays and tends to fade as you readjust to your routine. On the other, depression can last weeks or months and doesn’t change after returning to your routine.
• Intensity of Signs: The signs of post-holiday blues, while uncomfortable, are generally mild compared to depression. They come more in “waves” and usually disappear as you return to your routine. A good indication is that if the signs are impacting your ability to work, socialize, and carry out everyday tasks, then it might be more serious. Post-Holiday Blues mean you can generally still able to function in your daily lives.
• Mood Shifts: Post-Holiday Blues may include temporary mood shifts, fatigue, and regret, but they can change once normality sets in. Depression, on the other hand, includes more severe symptoms like persistent feelings of worthlessness, a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, and hopelessness about the future. And regardless of what you do, it doesn’t change at all.

So, if you notice that the duration of your Post-Holiday Blues, minimal mood shifts, and intensity of signs continue longer than expected, it might be wise to speak to a healthcare or mental health professional.

How to Manage the Post-Holiday Blues

While it can be hard to avoid the Post-Holiday Blues entirely, there are several effective strategies to manage and overcome these feelings:

• Ease Back into Routine: Jumping right back into your regular schedule can be pretty jarring, especially when your hands are tied with work or school. That’s why, if possible, you should take it easy for the first few days back at work or school and focus on re-establishing a balanced routine, so you slowly get back into the swing of things. Self-soothing techniques can help during this period.
• Give Yourself Time: Acknowledge that it will take time to get back to the swing of things. It’s a crucial step to recognize because if you rush yourself, you’ll find yourself in an overwhelming position. Take it step by step and focus on what you can do for now.
• Schedule New Things in Advance: The good thing about holidays is that they give you time to assess perspectives and goals. So, to keep that holiday energy level up, consider planning new and exciting things ahead of time. It will give you a sense of excitement and help you look forward to something in life. Just be careful not to rush right into it, as it will just cause more havoc for you to readjust.
• Practice Self-Care: It's super important to take care of your mental and physical health during this time. The worst thing is to continue the “holiday” lifestyle (for some, that’s alcohol or drugs and overindulgence). Prioritize sleep, eat well-balanced meals, stay hydrated, feel your feelings, and engage in physical activities like yoga or walking to build healthy habits. Gratitude and recognizing positive emotions can be helpful, too. 
• Set Achievable Goals: If the post-holiday period feels overwhelming, break down tasks into small, manageable goals. That lessens the pressure of having to step up and over-commit to things, putting yourself under more pressure. Completing small tasks can provide a sense of accomplishment and lift your mood.
• Get Social: You might not feel like it after an intense holiday period, but it’s good to maintain and connect with friends and family. Phone calls, messages, or plans to catch up with loved ones can help you return to normal life and reduce feelings of isolation.
• Avoid Financial Stress: If you realize that you spent too much money on holidays, don’t start blaming yourself. It’s done and happened. Just focus on taking proactive steps to create a budget and focus on how you can manage your finances moving forward. A good idea is to create a savings plan and cut back on unnecessary expenses in the coming months.

Watch this special episode of The Thais Gibson Podcast to learn about healing the nervous system with somatics!

Takeaways

• Post-holiday blues can be described as an emotional letdown after the holidays, including feelings of sadness, anxiety, emptiness, loneliness, or fatigue.
• It typically occurs right after vacations or holiday seasons, such as Christmas and New Year’s.
• Sudden lifestyle changes, fantasy vs. reality, social disconnect, and financial stress can be some of the causes of post-holiday blues.
• Post-holiday blues and depression have some overlaps in symptoms but can be differentiated by duration, the intensity of signs, and shifts in mood.
• You can manage post-holiday blues by easing back into your routine, setting achievable goals, practicing self-care, and addressing financial stress.

The Post-Holiday Blues can be a real emotional challenge. So, if you need some assistance, you can try our Transform Depression, Trauma Thoughts & Sadness course! It has some useful tools and tips to help you through this period!

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