The holidays are a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness, but they can also be overwhelming. From shopping for gifts to hosting gatherings, the season can leave many of us feeling drained. Once the holiday lights come down and life returns to normal, post-holiday stress can creep in. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that you’re not alone. Let’s explore some simple steps you can take to recover and bring self-care back into focus.
Recognizing Post-Holiday Stress
It’s easy to feel out of sorts after the holidays. You might notice lingering fatigue, trouble focusing, or a sense of sadness now that the festivities are over. For some, the return to daily responsibilities feels overwhelming. These feelings are normal, but they’re also a sign that it’s time to prioritize your well-being.
Prioritize Self-Care and Rest
Self-care is one of the best ways to recover from post-holiday stress. It doesn’t have to be complicated – it’s about taking small, intentional steps to recharge your mind and body.
When you incorporate these small acts of self-care into your routine, you’ll likely feel more grounded and less overwhelmed. Here are some ideas to help you recharge:
Rest: Make sleep a priority! Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to help your body recover from the holiday hustle.
Eat Well: Enjoy balanced meals with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Nourishing your body can improve your mood and energy.
Move Your Body: Whether it’s yoga, a walk, or dancing to your favorite playlist, exercise is a great way to reduce stress.
Take Time for Yourself: Spend a few moments each day doing something you love, like reading, journaling, or playing with a pet.
Set Realistic Goals
After the holidays, it’s tempting to jump into the new year with big resolutions. However, setting too many goals can add to your stress. Instead, focus on realistic, achievable steps.
For example, rather than deciding to completely revamp your diet, aim to add one healthy meal a day. Or, instead of committing to daily workouts, start with two or three days a week. Small, manageable changes build confidence and keep you moving forward without feeling overwhelmed.
Connect with Your People
Even though the holiday gatherings are over, staying connected with friends and family can boost your mood. Share your feelings with someone you trust or plan a casual coffee date to catch up. Social support is an important part of stress recovery, and connecting with others reminds you that you don’t have to handle everything on your own.
Manage Your Time Wisely
The post-holiday period often comes with a long to-do list, from catching up on work to tackling household chores. Don’t burn yourself out – try these time management tips:
Make a List: Write down everything you need to do and prioritize the most important tasks.
Break It Down: Divide large projects into smaller, more manageable steps.
Give Yourself Grace: It’s okay if not everything gets done right away. Be kind to yourself and celebrate the progress you make.
On Giving Yourself Grace…
Recovering from the holidays takes time, but with self-care, patience, and support, you can get back to feeling like yourself. It can feel confusing – it’s supposed to be a time of love, joy, and rest, but it sure can be exhausting! Remember, it’s okay to take things slow. You deserve the same kindness and care you give to others.
Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
Sometimes, post-holiday stress can feel like too much to handle on your own. If you’re struggling with overwhelming feelings, talking to a professional therapist can help. At Catalyss Counseling, our therapists specialize in helping people navigate life’s challenges and find balance. Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, or just need a little extra support, we’re here for you. Let’s work together to bring balance and joy back into your life.
You’ve got this!
How We Can Help
If you are looking for support, or if you would like to talk to someone more about how we can help you, follow these simple steps:
Contact us today for a free 20-minute phone consultation
Or, you can book directly online with the therapist of your choice
Begin your journey towards a calmer, more relaxed life
Other Therapy Services Available at Catalyss Counseling:
Here at Catalyss Counseling, we want to meet all of your counseling needs in the Denver area. Our supportive therapists provide depression counseling, therapy for caregiver stress, grief and loss therapy, stress management counseling, and more. We also have specialists in trauma and PTSD, women's issues, pregnancy and postpartum depression or anxiety, pregnancy loss and miscarriage, and birth trauma. For therapists, we can also provide clinical supervision! We look forward to connecting with you to help support your journey today.
Author Biography
Frankie Washofsky is a therapist with Catalyss Counseling who works with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, and ADHD, as well as relationship, LGBTQIA+, and polyamory/non-monogamous issues. Frankie is also an avid gamer and blog author. She specializes in working with trauma survivors, highly-sensitive people, and people-pleasers. Follow Catalyss Counseling on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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