The After-Holiday Blues- Is it Real?
Many people look forward to the holidays all year long, but what about when the holidays are over? Some people might experience the after-holiday blues. It is often described as feelings of sadness, loneliness, and fatigue that often occur after the holidays. When you experience the excitement and anticipation leading up to holidays and seasons such as Christmas and New Years, some people find it more difficult than others to return back to normal everyday life and requirements.
The main cause behind the holiday blues is widely due to the fact that the excitement one feels leading up to holidays. Christmas fades as we pack up the holidays and return to the not so jolly and magical day of normal life. The weather can also be a factor in adapting or adding to the post-holiday blues. When the weather is cold, gloomy, or rainy, one might feel sad and lonely, which can start to begin or worsen the effects of the post-holiday blues.
According to HCA Midwest Health, the holiday blues are common and “can stem from the end of the excitement and transitioning back to regular routines. Some people are affected not only by the end of a busy holiday season but by the colder, darker days of winter. These feelings are temporary, manageable and completely normal.”
The stress from the holiday season can carry over till well after the holiday season. While many people may never have heard of this, it is actually a very common occurrence.
According to eCare Behavioral Institue, “Many people experience the “holiday blues,” with around 60-89% reporting increased stress, leading to feelings of financial strain (around 58-68%), loneliness (around 66%), pressure, and unrealistic expectations and which makes the season emotionally taxing on people’s mental health,”
eCare Behavioral Institute also stated that even though there isn’t truly a timeline on when the holiday blues are officially over, they are most often temporary and go away pretty quickly after the holiday season. They also mentioned how statistics showed that the stress of the holiday season can cause what’s known as an after-holiday slump. While severe depression isn’t universal, the contrast with everyday life causes a post-holiday slump for many, with about half taking weeks to recover from stress and feeling they neglected their own needs.
Statistics show that roughly 60% of people report that the holidays have a negative impact on their mental health, while nearly two-thirds of people, which correlates 60-63% of Americans feeling overwhelmed by the holidays.
Financial strain is a major part of the after-holiday blues with the Americans spending nearly $900-$2000 per American for the holidays. Some individuals such as low income families may spend under $1000 for the holidays. Another issue with financial struggles is the cost of travel. Around 122 million Americans travel every year for holidays, which is 50-60% of the population and around 45% of them spend around $2500 for travel expenses alone.
If you are ever feeling stressed or overwhelmed by the holiday expectations, there are many different remedies that can help with overcoming them. Taking care of yourself and not letting the holidays be overwhelming is important but also allow yourself to feel the emotions to help you through it. The holidays are always full of stress, but family traditions, entertainment, and the joy we experiences should be what we remember. Never let the holidays dull your sunshine; you can always overcome the hard times and the after-holiday blues.
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