Fighting Off Those Post Holiday Blues

Christmas has been said to be the ‘happiest time of the year’, but what happens when it’s done? Parties are over, decorations are all put away, kids are back to school – and in Alberta, the weather is likely to be freezing. Maybe you’ve made some New Year’s resolutions that have already failed….so it makes perfect sense that one would feel a bit blah.
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) says about two to three per cent of Canadians suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and another 15 per cent of Canadians suffer from a milder version known as the winter blues. Typically the third Monday of January (falling this year on Jan. 19), this is referred to as the day when colder weather, debt, post-holiday season bills, and failed New Year’s resolutions come to a head for the “gloomiest” day of the year.
“Post holiday blues is generally attributed to 3 main triggers:
1. Your hopes for what Christmas would be, for example a get together with loved ones, the time spent with friends and family were not what you had hoped they would be, what the images we see are, or even discord among family becomes evident.
2. The financial cost of Christmas becomes a reality and stress on how to pay off the cost increases.
3. “baby it’s cold outside” which means we are not as active and physical which helps combat stress and anxiety, get less Vitamin D which is linked to depression, and can often tend to hibernate therefore get less interaction from people. All of these contribute to depression and anxiety like symptoms.” says Maureen Speidel, M.A., R. Psychologist.
Speidel, a Psychologist with Lifepath Wellness in Chestermere, continued with, “Combatting it means taking a look at the triggers and addressing them. Plan to do things that bring you joy that you can look forward too. These can be big things like a hot holiday but more practical things like having family/friends over for potluck and a games night, or a fun project at work, a toboggan/skating day with family/friends. Volunteer with things you might enjoy, painting/crafts or a coffee date with someone you haven’t seen in a while or would like to know better. Put down the tablet or smartphone and connect with people!
Address your debt, unfortunately anxiety often coexists with procrastination, which only increases anxiety. Write down the debt, make a plan to address it. If your debt is more overwhelming than you can manage talk to an agency such as Alberta Credit Counselling who can help you devise a plan to financial stability again.
Despite the freezing cold temps make plans to enjoy the outdoors, even in small spurts you’ll be energized. Go skating, tobogganing, skiing, snowshoeing, take pictures of the beautiful snowy landscape/sunsets, or just have a crazy throw snow at each other for 15 minutes in the backyard kind of a day. Followed up with hot chocolate; the Vitamin D, exercise, laughter and just plain old connection with nature will release the chemicals in your brain needed to boost your mood.
Be a scientist, push yourself to try different things and see which combination elevates your mood and do more of it. If the flat mood or anxiety symptoms persist it might be a good idea to talk to a therapist who can help you isolate some of your issues and develop a treatment plan with you. “