Beat The Post-Holiday Blues

Now that the decorations are packed away and regular routines have kicked in, the seasonal adjustment can bring on feelings of emptiness and melancholy.

Often referred to as the post-holiday blues, the emotional dip is a natural response to the holiday’s end and the gloomy winter months stretching ahead. Although the holidays are generally hectic and stressful, surprisingly, we still feel down when the Christmas chaos is over.

Our moods take a beating, and many of us experience symptoms such as low energy, irritability, difficulty concentrating, sleeplessness and feelings of worry and anxiousness. The shorter days, along with the season’s overspending and overindulging, can weigh us down.

While the post-holiday blues are not a clinical condition, it’s something many people experience temporarily and can take a toll. You can’t ignore the big chill on mood and motivation.

If you’re feeling like your glass is half empty, we want to help fill it to the top with a whole lot of hope, healing and positivity. Welcome a healthy 2025 and get back to feeling yourself with our tips:

Prioritize self-care. November and December can be draining in so many ways, and our emotional, mental and physical health may need a major reboot. So, too, our diets, exercise routines and sleep.

Stress levels may have soared over the past few months, releasing large amounts of cortisol, which, among other things, suppresses the immune system. Finding effective, healthy ways to cope with stress is essential to our wellbeing.

Be kind to yourself and give yourself permission to slow down and focus on what makes you feel good. Take time out to meditate, listen to music or enjoy a favourite book. Carve out moments of joy with leisurely walks in the woods, meeting your bestie for a coffee or hosting a potluck.

Lift your spirits and soul with a wellness getaway for a day or, better still, make it a night or two to really feel the benefits of self-care. Ste. Anne’s is the ultimate wellness oasis to release your body’s natural happy hormones and feel the joys of self-care.

Bring along a friend and combat stress with a calming yoga session, a brisk hike along picturesque trails, and a reinvigorating hydrotherapy circuit in our therapeutic outdoor pools. Relax in natural light and soak up the soothing surroundings as the warm waters reduce stress, improve circulation and reinvigorate the mind, body and soul.

Spending time outdoors in the glorious fresh air can do wonders for your mood year-round. Natural light helps regulate your body’s internal clock and helps improve energy levels. Even on cloudy days, there are so many benefits to seeking Mother Nature’s warm embrace.

Breathe in happiness and breathe out stress with aromatherapy. Lavender and bergamot essential oils help alleviate anxiety and boost calmness. Ylang Ylang essential oil features a sweet floral scent and is well known for its mood-enhancing and stress-relieving properties.

Chase away the darkness by getting your vitamin D – it’s as vital for mental health as it is for physical health. Low vitamin D levels are associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Sunshine is one of the best sources of vitamin D, but unfortunately, it’s in short supply in the winter, so a supplement may be in order.

A healthy diet rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods is the best way to boost your mood naturally. Getting an adequate amount of protein daily is essential. Research recommends 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. For example, a person who weighs 75 kilograms (165 pounds) requires 60 grams of protein daily. Those over 50 and people who exercise regularly have higher needs.

Eating a banana, Greek yogurt, and a hard-boiled egg will deliver 19 grams of protein. An egg has about 8 grams on its own, and 8 ounces of fish, chicken, beef or pork have about 30 grams.

Consuming a diet rich in highly processed foods is linked to experiencing depressive symptoms. Eating more raw fruits and vegetables has been linked with increased happiness, life satisfaction and wellbeing.

Feast on these mood-boosting foods:

• Fatty fish, like wild-caught salmon
• Berries of all colours
• Dark leafy greens, like kale, spinach, and Swish chard
• Avocados
• Pumpkin seeds
• Fermented foods, like Kimchi, sauerkraut and kefir
• Cruciferous veggies like cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts

The next few months can be draining, too, so embrace a healthy lifestyle with a consistent routine. Take charge of your mood by eating well, seeking movement and loving yourself.

For most of us, the post-holiday blues won’t reach a diagnosable Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) level – a mood disorder related to the change in seasons – but there’s likely no dodging a bit of the blues. Don’t judge yourself for feeling that way. Be kind to yourself.

If you continue feeling anxious or sad long into the new year, processing these feelings with a friend, family member, or mental health professional can help.