The holiday season is busy and can be a very emotional time of year, bringing with it a lot of holiday stress. With all the preparations, celebrations, and get-togethers, the extra social element can heighten all emotions. Emotions are difficult to regulate, and there can be prolonged periods of highs throughout the excitement of the holiday and a low period after the festivities have subsided. Here are 5 tips to help get through that post-holiday letdown. 

The most important thing is to know the signs of post-holiday blues. These could be any of the following: 

1. Feeling anxious 
2. Irritable 
3. Nervous 
4. Depressed 
5. Unmotivated 
6. Moody 
7. Exhaustion or Tiredness 
8. Difficulty Concentrating 
9. Short Tempered 
10. Appetite Changes 

5 Tips How To Avoid That Post Holiday Letdown

Keep the Joy Alive Throughout the Whole Year
Parties and celebrations are not exclusively for the holidays. If you love planning and preparation, why not continue that throughout the year? Find a reason to celebrate and plan a get-together with your friends and family. It could be a birthday, anniversary, Superbowl, Mardi Gras, or just because you want to surround yourself with people you love to spend time together. You don’t need a special occasion to have a celebration. Try planning a themed dinner or a night out with a few friends. Remember, it should be fun and stress-free, so try not to put too much pressure on yourself. 

Continue Giving
Continue the giving attitude throughout the year. It is not necessarily spending money on physical gifts; try finding simple giving moments throughout your daily life. You could give time to a friend or neighbor who needs assistance with something around their house. You could volunteer with a local charity you want to support. Enter a challenge to raise money for a charity or special event. Getting involved with the community will keep the spirit of holiday giving alive and build a new community of friends and support. 

Exercise – Even Better Exercise with Friends!
Get out and exercise, and release those endorphins! Movement is the best medicine for feeling low. Even if you already have an exercise routine you follow, you may find yourself lacking motivation after the busy holiday season. Try on a fitness routine with a buddy in person or virtually. Find a space at home where you and a friend can join our Dynamic Pilates TV Matwork Collection for a variety of Pilates Mat workouts. Set a schedule, and share your progress, either in person or virtually. It will keep you accountable for your workouts and motivated to stick to your fitness routine. Also, check out our article Losing motivation to workout? to keep you motivated for your workouts!  

Set Goals
Yes, it sounds cheesy around this time of year, with everyone setting their New Year’s Resolutions. However, setting goals gives you something to look forward to and a reason to celebrate when you achieve them. New Year’s Resolutions often are forced, unattainable, and a little too ambitious, which can intensify feelings of anxiety and depression when they are not achieved. Setting goals is not making resolutions. Make your goals attainable and set short and long-term goals. Write them down, and celebrate your wins throughout that journey, and if you don’t achieve them during your timeline, that is ok. Just take the time to re-evaluate and adjust when you need to, and remember to be kind to yourself. 

Indulge in Something For Yourself
Do something for yourself! Over the past month or two, it has been about doing and giving to other people. So indulge in something for yourself. Whether it is a spa day, shopping, a book you have wanted to read, your favorite broadway show or concert that is coming in two, or a subscription to your favorite online pilates app, make time for it. When you give something to yourself and spend some quality time doing something you enjoy, you will have more time and space for others. 

Did you know food and mood are also connected? Check out      Food and mood: can we improve our mental health through good nutrition?  For some more helpful tips on improving your mood. Of course, if any of these feelings intensify, seek out a professional you can talk to or seek medical help.