Almost everyone is familiar with the general funk most people feel after the holidays. It might feel a little extra funky this year due to COVID-19 making it difficult to spend time with family. Psychologist Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore describes the post-holiday funk phenomenon as “the abrupt withdrawal of stress hormones after a major event, be it a wedding, an important deadline, or the holidays, [leaving] a profound impact on our biological and psychological well-being.” On top of that, the happiness and excitement the holidays usually provide can sometimes seem like a stark difference to our day to day lives we return to.
So, the big question is, how do we combat this situation? Luckily, we have some ideas to beat the post-holiday funk that you can start implementing ASAP. On top of getting a quote from us to start your new year off right, these tips will have you feeling better in no time.
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Make time for self-care. The holidays usually throw off our normal schedule in more ways than one. Ensure you’re getting enough sleep, eating enough nutrient-dense foods, and exercising is you’re able to. Getting back to your regular day-to-day may feel mundane at first, but the benefits you’ll feel will outweigh any negative feelings you have.
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Figure out what made you happy about the holidays and incorporate it into your routine. Did you love spending time with your family? Call them more often! Did you enjoy the cooking and baking the holidays come with? Make it a hobby! Fill your time with activities that bring you joy so the contrast between the holidays and everyday life doesn’t seem so drastic.
- Find people who relate and ground you. It’s always helpful to empathize with others who are experiencing the post-holiday funk. You can talk through the feelings together and get out of the funk together. Doing the self-care activities listed above together will make them even more fun, whether it’s cooking a meal together, doing some yoga, or just watching a funny movie. Being with like-minded people who want to get through these feelings rather than let them fester is key. Make sure you are not enabling each other’s post-holiday funk.
