Understanding Post-Holiday Depression

Have you ever wondered why it's so hard to get back into the swing of things, after the holidays? Post-holiday blues are really a thing. Here's how to deal with them.  What Are Post-Holiday Blues? Post-holiday blues share many of the same characteristic symptoms of an anxiety or mood disorder: insomnia, low-energy, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and anxiousness. What Causes Post-Holiday Blues? There’s little research on the subject, but a consensus among experts is that the adrenaline comedown is the main reason. Princeton, NJ-based clinical psychologist Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore suggests that the abrupt withdrawal of stress hormones after a major event, be it a wedding, an important deadline, or the holidays, can have a profound impact on our biological and psychological well-being. Why Do We Feel Depressed After the Holidays? Unless you have a three-week vacation in August or some other big diversion during the year, the holidays may be the only time regular life is interrupted. Even if your holidays weren’t so merry and bright, the brain exaggerates the realities of day-to-day life, making the return to the mundane seem disproportionately more anxiety-inducing and depressing than it really is. Our Brain is Tricking Us. According to Dr. Melissa Weinberg, a research consultant and psychologist specializing in well-being and performance psychology, it’s a sign of healthy psychological functioning. “It’s just one of a series of illusions our brain fools us into believing, in the same way we think bad things are more likely to happen to others than they are to us.  We’re Emotionally Exhausted. The considerable weight of navigating difficult situations and relationships and keeping your cool during the holiday events is another possible factor in post-holiday depression. Your Diet Plays A Role. The sugar and alcohol-fueled diets many of us love and/or survived on during the holiday season can also play a role. Alcohol is a widely recognized depressant and research has also linked junk food to depressio