Fizzled out…

“A 2012 survey by Think Finance, a provider of payday loans and other financial services, found that about 45% of Americans would prefer to skip Christmas, if they could. — Rita Milios, Recovery.org

“More than any other time, the string of holidays and seasonal changes brings a boat-load of mixed emotions such as nostalgia, sentimentality, melodrama, bittersweet celebrations, poignancy, anger, jealousy, sadness, loss, and homesickness. And there is the added pressure of decisions such as what presents to buy, for whom, how much can you afford to spend, and who to visit when. No wonder we call these three months [October, November, and December] emotionally loaded… in other words, this is a very unbalanced time for many of us, and it is often followed by an emotional slump. — Steve Wilson, DPCE Center

Why?

The post-holiday blues…

“Some studies show as many as 25 percent of Americans suffer from low-grade to full-blown depression after the holidays. “ — Marie Hartwell-Walker, Psych Central. There is still time to get a grip on the holidays so you don’t end up with post-holiday blues. “Common holiday letdown symptoms include:

Fatigue (from overextending ourselves, hectic holiday schedules, etc.)
Loneliness (from the sudden dip in social contact, fewer get-togethers)
Sadness (feelings of loss or emptiness upon the return to “regular” life)
Reduced motivation (from the excitement and energy of the holidays that buoyed you up has now disappeared)” — Rita Milios, Recovery.org

Some tips to avoid the blues...

1. Remember to keep up your routines (i.e. exercise. Meditating, reading, etc.)

2. Eat healthily (as much as possible)

3. Plan your New Year’s resolutions and turn your holiday joy into motivation

4. Plan a fun outing for mid or late January to look forward to

“Although ‘normal life’ may not be as exciting as the holidays, there's no reason to put the cheer away until next year. Remember that each new day brings the promise of new opportunities. Make it a point to appreciate the small things in life and find reasons to be grateful and happy each and every day. This will help you carry a bit of that holiday joy with you all year long.” — Sonder Mind

And remember that Eggnog and/or Coquito would be great as ice cream on a hot summer day.