Post-Holiday Mental Health: Blowin' Down those Blues

By: Rosanne Parks,  BSN, MSN, Director SAGE Unit

For some people, the time period after the holidays can be more than just a “let-down.” After the holiday rush, family time is short as most people go back to work.  There is increased worry about money from all that Christmas spending, the weather is often cold, and daylight hours are in short supply until spring.  It’s no wonder that maintaining mental wellness gets put on the “backburner.” 
If this is a difficult time of year for you, keep in mind some measures to take which can help you cope. Research shows the best areas to focus on are: 

Exercise:

Most people try to get active after Christmas to get rid of excess pounds. However, exercise is also a pretty effective way of combating stress and depression. Recent studies show that just 30 minutes of exercise a day significantly improved the moods of patients who had been suffering from depression. Don’t worry, you don’t have to start training for marathons, just getting out for a walk for half an hour will do the trick and lift your spirits.

Eat Right

Feeling a bit up and down can also be affected by your diet. Try to get a steady supply of energy through the day by eating wholegrain foods like whole wheat bread and brown rice that release energy slowly into the body. Sugar, on the other hand, will give you a quick boost followed by a dip in energy and may make things worse, if you are feeling down.  For the same reason, don’t skip meals or rely heavily on caffeinated drinks like coffee. Try to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, lean meat, and low fat dairy products as well, to make sure you are getting all the vitamins and minerals you need to be at your best.

Maintain Friendships

Friends are the main source of support for people whose mental health suffers at this time of year. Just listening and talking to friends who are feeling down can make a huge difference. Try to be aware of how the people around you are feeling and not to back away if you find it difficult to cope.

Seek Help When Needed

If this approach is still not helping, consider seeking help from a counselor or the nearest mental health center.  Part of maintaining mental wellness is knowing when you need assistance from a professional.