Expert Advice For Utahns Dealing With Post-Holiday Blues

The holidays are a whirlwind of emotions, stress and anxiety which is why the comedown can be a bit hard.  

Christmas is over and New Years marks the last of the major holidays for a while. Though many people enjoy the holiday season, the adrenaline from them abruptly stopping can lead some into a funk. Or more accurately, post-holiday depression.  

Health Central said that financial, emotional and physical stress are the main causes for depression during the holiday season, but the comedown is rocky too. The National Alliance on Mental Health found that 64% of people get “regular” holiday depression.  

There is not a lot of research on the post-holiday depression issue, but adrenaline seems to be the trigger, Health Central said.  

The reason the adrenaline rush suddenly stopping can trigger post-holiday depression is because regular life gets interrupted, and the brain essentially lies to itself making the holiday time exaggerated. Essentially, it all seems more exciting and more stressful (and it can be) so when regular life returns it seems a bit depressing and mundane.  

Another issue is that with family visiting and the stress surrounding the holidays, people just get emotionally exhausted, Health Central said.  

Diet also plays a role since alcohol is a big part of the holidays and eating unhealthy foods for close to a month can be a real bummer. Your brain and body aren’t at their best.  

Post-holiday depression is normal for a short period of time. However, if it goes longer than it should and life still seems dull, you may want to talk to a professional.  

To ease the post-holiday depression, be kind to yourself. Adjust your diet and sleep to a more balanced place to get your body back on track. You will also want to schedule something that is fun for you, something you can look forward to.