Beating the Post-holiday Blues

Now that the festivities of Christmas and New Year have come and gone, I can’t help to feel a little sad and let-down. Back to the boring day-to-day details, working, watching TV, cooking, exhaustion, boredom… And it doesn’t help that I seem to be coming down with flu.

Great.

At least I’m not alone in my deep dark despair…

By Peyton Mays

The halls are undecked, the last of the cookies disappeared days ago, the weather is miserable and you grimly note that the next official day off is May 29th.

Welcome to the post-holiday doldrums.

When you think about it, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Look at what you’ve just been through for the last month and a half. With everything else we pack into a typical week, we added the shopping, the baking, the wrapping and mailing and a social calendar to rival Madonna’s. No wonder downshifting into the new year makes us feel a bit winded, if not a little glum. If you can’t burn away the blahs with a boat drink on the beach, here are a few simple tips and shopping links to help you banish those blue meanies.

Get a little exercise. This has nothing to do with those New Year’s resolutions, noble as they may be. The important thing is to pry yourself off the couch and into some form of regular moderate exercise. Research has shown that a brisk walk of a couple of miles a day not only boosts your fitness level, but helps raise your metabolism and reduce stress. And it will get you out of the house. Take the dog along for company – it’ll do you both good. All you need is warm, comfortable clothes, a pair of walking shoes and a leash.

Not ready to strike out across the tundra? Think about incorporating a simple daily yoga or Pilates routine into your schedule. Not only will it help you work out those winter kinks, but both help lift your spirits. You can get the necessary equipment for either one without spending a fortune and you’ll begin to feel the benefits within the first couple of weeks.

Eat your vegetables. A healthy diet is not only great for your body – it’s important for your sense of well-being. Stress takes its toll on your natural reserve of vitamins and minerals, so it’s crucial to replenish them with nutritious meals. You don’t have to embrace a trendy diet or convert to tofu and sprouts. Just plan well-balanced meals and use the freshest ingredients you can find. This is a great time to go shopping for healthy cookbooks.

Don’t be a hermit. After the social whirl of the holidays, it’s easy to become a homebody. But while we all need a little time to recuperate, it’s important to plan something fun to look forward to. And without the heightened expectations that go along with holiday gatherings, it’s much easier to plan something informal. Invite a couple of the people you’re closest to over for a simple weekend meal or, if you’re not quite ready to dirty another pot, plan to meet at a favorite neighborhood restaurant. Bring the family together around the game board or in front of the TV for a weekend family film fest and order in. Visit your local museum, gallery, zoo or park and rediscover what you love about your hometown.

Follow your bliss. This is the perfect time of year to take advantage of the lull and devote time your favorite hobby or activity. The holiday hubbub makes it tough to find time to curl up with that book you’ve been looking forward to, tackling that home improvement project, catching up with your knitting or any number of things you enjoy. Give yourself at least one hour a day to spend doing something you love. It’s also the season when our nesting instincts are the strongest. Rearrange the furniture, buy something nice for the house or just treat yourself to a bouquet or two of fresh flowers.

Pamper yourself. A good friend of mine swears by the salubrious effects of retail therapy. When she feels down, she goes downtown and buys a new dress and a pair of shoes later, she’s back on top of her game. But, if like most of us, you capsized your credit card last month, look for luxury closer to home. The key is to visualize yourself enjoying your ultimate idyll, book the time, set the stage and make it happen. Whether your tastes run to a candlelight soak with Sinatra on the stereo, a relaxing massage or a cozy afternoon by the fire making a box of chocolates disappear, be sure it involves as much unstructured time as you can afford. And by all means take the phone off the hook. Even if you can only manage an hour here and there, ensure you’re truly free from all interruptions. The world can get along without you for awhile. Be creative. For the moment, it’s all about you.

Source: MSN Lifestyle