Post-christmas Depression

The period after Christmas can leave many people feeling depressed and sick. Thankfully, there are several ways to get back in good spirits once the festive period is over.

We have put together 10 of the best tips for beating the post-Christmas depression and sadness.

1. Take the time to make a plan

First, on the ten tips on how to avoid post-Christmas depression and sadness is making plans, you can look forward to it.

Christmas time is always filled with excitement for everyone, so it is only understandable that going back to living your regular life after the festivities can lower your spirits.

One of the best ways to avoid feeling sad is to create something to look forward to after the festivities. Depending on your financial strength and your lifestyle, you could plan anything from a trip to a night out with friends.

Whatever you decide to do after Christmas, make sure it was something exciting that you can look forward to. Once you have your plan made begin a countdown.

2. Find several reasons to laugh uncontrollably

You must have heard the saying that laughter is the best medicine. Well, it has been proven to be an effective mood-booster.

When you laugh, it releases endorphins, which cause your spirit to rise instantly and helps you feel good. There are so many things you can do to remain in good spirits, and some of them include reading funny jokes or watching funny videos online.

There are many comedians on YouTube, Instagram, and other social media platforms that can help you.

3. Do something that scared you

It is okay to feel uninspired and listless after Christmas. Well, for many of us, there is often nothing to energize us aside from the cup of coffee before work every morning.

However, you can decide to do one thing that scares you every week or even every day and sees where that leads to you.

It doesn’t have to be something dangerous (we do not advise you to do anything that would cause you harm) it could be something as little as starting a conversation with that person you always wanted to talk to, or even relocating to a different country.

For many of us who have New Year resolutions that we never achieve, deciding to go out of your comfort zone may just be the magic you need.

4. Be Active

Although being in a bad mood is unlikely to motivate you to go out for a jog or to even register with a gym, waking up in the morning and getting active is one of the best presents you can give to yourself after Christmas.

Exercise not only elevates your mood, but it also helps you shed a few pounds if you have gained too much weight during the holidays. There are so many things you can do to feel active if you don’t want to go out for a run. You can do some yoga and meditation to put you in a better frame of mind.

5. Watch What goes into your stomach

Taking the fifth spot on these ten tips on how to avoid post-Christmas depression and sadness is watching what you eat after Christmas.

We do different things when we are sad. For some people, what they do is look for something to put in their mouths.

Avoid the temptation to drown yourself in junk food and opt for a healthy diet, as it will help you not only look but feel good. Some of the best foods you can eat after Christmas are those containing vitamin B because they help the brain produce serotonin.

Some of the foods that are rich in vitamin B include nuts, whole grains, and marmite. You can also opt for foods that contain Omega-3 fatty acids, such as flaxseeds and oily fish.

6. Don’t come down with SAD ( seasonal affective disorder)

If you feel like you’re not feeling well because of the cold weather that comes with the festive season, then you just might be dealing with seasonal affective disorder popularly known as SAD.

However, for you to be sure what you are dealing with is SAD, then you must have noticed such a feeling over several years during the winter or autumn months.

Once you are sure that you have sad, it will be a good idea to invest in a sad lightbox as it can help reduce the challenges that crop up as a result of a lack of natural light during the festivities.

7. Put other people first sometimes

If you feel like you can’t get over your mood after Christmas, then something you can do is to focus on other people as a way of distracting yourself.

Take your time to do something nice for someone every day. Seeing that you can put a smile on the face of another human being might help you feel better.

If you have enough time on your hands, you can do some volunteering work as well. One thing I have noticed about making people smile is that it makes you feel happier and more fulfilled, and it cost you next to nothing to be a kind person.

8. Boost Up Your Social Life

One reason why you may have post-Christmas blues is that you do not spend time with other people.

Don’t get me wrong, sometimes it is OK to enjoy your own company, but one of the best ways to boost your mood is to spend time with friends and family members.

If you have friends you haven’t spoken to in a while, pick up the phone and call them or even arrange meetings or short trips just to catch up on old times.

If you feel like you don’t want to be with old friends, you could take up a new Hobby or even join a club where you can meet people with similar interests.

9. Get Your Finances In Order

Number 9 on our ten tips on how to avoid post-Christmas depression and sadness is getting your finances in order.

One primary reason why a lot of people feel sad after Christmas is because we spend a lot of money during the festivities and end up broke afterward.

If you feel like the holidays have made you spend too much money, and you need to get back on track, instead of sitting down and worrying about the situation of your finances, you can do something about it.

One of the things you can do is to look for freelance jobs and also put yourself and a budget for the next couple of months. Seek financial advice from professionals, or just sit down and think of the best way you can cut down your expenses and save more.

10. Make some much-needed changes

If you are depressed by the thought of going back to your regular routine, then it probably is a sign that you need to change some things.

For a lot of people, the thought of going back to work is draining, especially when they have to go back to a job you do not like. If you find yourself in such a situation, you should consider changing jobs this new year.

Sometimes, you only need to change some aspects of your lifestyle to feel better. You could consider changing your sense of Fashion, going out more often, or making plans to be a better version of you in the new year.

Whatever changes you decide to make, always remember not to put too much pressure on yourself and take things one step at a time.

We hope that these ten tips on how to avoid post-Christmas depression and sadness have been of help to you. If you would like to add some extra tips, do not hesitate to do so in the comments section provided below. We also welcome suggestions and questions.