The month of December has come to an end and so the new year begins, which happens to mark the end of the holiday season as you get back to work as usual. While the majority of people report feeling stressed around the holidays due to expenditures, family gatherings, travel anxiety, and a variety of other factors, many more report experiencing post-holiday blues. The inevitable return to work after the 'most joyful time of the year' can also bring on a case of the post-holiday blues.
Post-holiday blues, what are those?
As reported by Psycom, psychologists define post-holiday blues or also called post-vacation syndrome as a collection of negative feelings that arise after the end of a holiday that makes the quality and productivity of a person's life disrupted.
Common symptoms of post-holiday blues include feeling lazy, unmotivated, unenthusiastic, anxious, not cheerful in carrying out daily routines, grumpy, insomnia, and in some cases leading to depression. The major cause according to experts is a drop in adrenaline. The rapid withdrawal of stress hormones following a significant event, such as a wedding, an important deadline, or the holidays, can have a dramatic influence on our bodily and psychological well-being.
As stated in Healthline, this is generally experienced by workers in the United States after the winter break. Meanwhile, in Indonesia this symptom is more likely to be experienced after long holidays such as Eid Al-Fitr and New Year.
What causes it?
After returning home or to a regular schedule after a lengthy trip, especially if it was enjoyable, a person may experience post-holiday blues. After days of weightlessness, the usual routine may feel like a familiar burden that is suddenly more difficult to bear. This can also occur if a person feels unhappy where he came from. He will, nevertheless, be content in a vacation spot. Post-holiday blues can develop as a result of a need that cannot be satisfied at home but can be met at a holiday destination or while on vacation, such as accomplishment expectations, harmony, living circumstances, and the sense of freedom experienced when on vacation.
How to get over it?
The post-vacation blues will, in most cases, fade away with time. With a little forethought, you may discover that you did get some rest while on vacation and are ready to return to your regular routine. So don't worry too much, and follow these suggestions.
Plan a smooth return. Before returning to work, give yourself at least one day off following your holiday. This time should be used as a period of adaptation back to routine.
Take good care of yourself. Get some exercise, get enough sleep, and eat a nutritious and balanced diet. These can assist you in coping with mood swings and managing symptoms of depression.
Set time for leisure and fun. You can try preparing an event for when you come home before you depart on vacation, especially with your loved ones. It does not have to be expensive, such as going to the movies or having lunch with friends. It's possible that the event is something you've been looking forward to doing when you return.
Don't push yourself too much, be patient. Take the time you need to find your pace and footing, whether it's for work, school, or another day managing household responsibilities.
