Coping With Post-Holiday Depression

You have spent weeks, maybe even months, preparing. You have been consumed with decorating, baking, shopping and wrapping. You have sent the holiday cards, visited family and hosted and attended countless holiday parties. You have taken the kids to see Santa and plotted and executed a successful Christmas morning. You have been super holly-jolly.

And then just like that- POOF! Everything is over in the blink of an eye. Suddenly your gorgeous decorations that you loved to look at seem out of place, your tree is loosing needles at an alarming pace and there are wads of discarded wrapping paper everywhere. Maybe you are also dealing with some unsavory feelings that the holidays left behind. Baggage from seeing family members can sometimes become amplified during the holidays. Maybe you set your holiday expectations unreasonably high and now you feel let down by your perceived inadequacies.

Whatever the reason, post-holiday depression is a very real thing that touches so many of us after all of the festivities are over. Some studies show that as many as 25% of Americans suffer from varying degrees of depression after the holidays. It's tough for even the most resilient among us to not feel a dip in overall mood. For those who already struggle with depression, the weeks after the holiday can feel very intense.

So what can you do about this? While sometimes the post-holiday blues can't be avoided, there are steps you can take to manage your feelings in a more positive way during this sometimes difficult period of the year.

If you are taking antidepressants don't stop now. You may start to feel like they aren't working but you could end up a lot worse if you suddenly stop. Always consult your doctor before making and changes in your current medication routine.

If you are in therapy, keep going and be very open about what is bothering you. You may even want to schedule an extra appointment during this time if you are feel really bad.

Be sure to take care of yourself. Focus on healthy eating and exercise as much as you can. Every little bit helps. In addition, mindfulness practices like meditation can be very helpful in boosting your mood. Get yourself back to a regular bedtime routine and practice your self-care routine as often as you can.

Stay present. Focus on the good that is around you right now and relish in it. Embrace the fact that your kids are at home and really listen to them. Get down on the floor and play with them. Watch a movie with your partner. Take time to pause and really appreciate and participate in your life. Reconnecting with what matters will help you to stop thinking about what doesn't.

Call a friend. Try to not rattle off your list of current complaints when chatting with them. You never know what they are struggling with. Instead focus on things that can make you laugh and inspiring, positive stories. Humor is a great way to lift spirits. My girlfriends and I have an on-going group chat where we can safely air our grievances, share funny stuff and just love and support each other. I truly don't know where I would be without them.

Practice baby steps and do small things that will add up to feeling happier. Make your bed everyday. Really take the time to savor that warm mug of tea. Take a shower, get dressed in clothes that make you feel good. Spend time on your hair and makeup. All of these actions are considered self-care and can all make a huge difference in how you view the world and in how you feel.

Plan things to look forward to. The end of the holiday season doesn't mean that your life is over. Make a date night with your partner, plan your summer vacation or book a yoga class. Give yourself something to look forward to over the next few months. Something to get excited about.

Remember, you have control over your moods and life. You do not have to let negative post-holiday feelings take over your mood. Take charge by looking after yourself. If you feel really low and need extra help, reach out to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) by calling their helpline at 800-950-6264, or if you think you are in a crisis situation you can text NAMI at 741741. If you are having suicidal thoughts or are thinking of harming yourself please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Always remember that you are never alone. Access to confidential and free help is available to you.