January’s over and the New Year sets in even more. There are more commitments and goals and reality sets in. This can be difficult for some to deal with. There’s been a lot of research showing that the festive period can be triggering and even overstimulating for various reasons which may lead to post-festivity blues. It can incite depressive feelings and in turn some may feel lonelier, despite being surrounded by others.
While this is a known fact, we often do not talk about the effects of what comes after the Christmas period. Where does one go when all of a sudden there were all these activities and now it’s just a long year of work and more work, goals, and more goals? It may feel like it is too much. Here are some tips to deal with the first months of the year.
Reflect
If an individual finds it easy to avoid their troubles during the festive period temporarily, it is not uncommon for them to find it more difficult to return to their routine. If an individual has left all their responsibilities behind and has taken a proper break, starting again with full intensity might be too overwhelming. Responsibilities might take over, creating more stress than they did prior to the time where they were avoided. A break helps, however, going back to difficult realities, for example, a bullying situation at work, might cause more stress. It is important for one to use their break to really weigh on whether they can change their current situation.
Disconnect
After a lot of activities, disconnecting can be helpful, it can be an opportunity to take a mental break from a lot of social engagements.
Connect
While this might seem contradictory to the previous point, connecting is important. We need both in order to thrive, so we need that balance. It’s also about finding what you need and what works for you. Perhaps connecting with less pressure or in more contained environments can be helpful.
For people struggling with feelings of loneliness and depression, connecting is even more crucial. With everyone going back to their busy routines, it is easy for these people not to have anyone to connect to. It is important to reach out.
Inversely, it would be beneficial to check in with friends who may struggle with the first months of the year.
Plan for the year ahead
While planning might also create overwhelming feelings, for some, it may ignite some energy and excitement for the year ahead. Put this energy to good use to plan out everything you want to achieve. Perhaps, if you are a person who gets excited and then gets overwhelmed easily, you can start by planning out the first few months and to do this regularly throughout the year.
Seek Help
This is always something I suggest. If you have noticed a pattern of feeling depressed or anxious during or after the festive period, it can be beneficial to explore with a professional what this may be about. Simply creating awareness around the situation can be beneficial.
If you think that you can benefit from professional support on this issue you can reach out here.
Jessica Saliba Thorne is a Gestalt psychotherapist. She has experience within the mental health field and sees adults with mental health difficulties, relationship issues and trauma at Willingness.