Holiday De-Stress

The holidays are over. Ah, peaceful bliss. Maybe.

It all depends on how we handle it. Between November and December we are subjected to different amounts of stress whether we cause it or not. There is more of everything. Parties, shopping, cooking, church and school plays, traveling and mailing.

Even if we are not the ones doing all the buying, driving, or participating in events, we can get caught up in the middle of those who are. Traffic is more congested, stores are crowded, and crime seems to increase.

After it is all over, we want to breathe a sigh of relief for the end of it all. But the cessation of activity can sometimes bring despair instead of the release we crave. After the big buildup, we can feel let down in our emotions. January seems to bring dismal weather and that can add to the cloud that gathers over our head.

The cure is to focus on the right things. We know what our holidays are supposed to be about. And even if we did get caught up in the stress of it all, it’s possible to go back in our minds and be thankful for all our blessings and praise God for giving us something to celebrate.

It’s never too late to think about others. Many charities expand their outreach to the needy during holidays, but the cause doesn’t end because the time of year changes. We can still give to these groups even if there is no one outside a store ringing a bell. We can send thank you notes to those who gave to us or provided us with a service in the previous year.

And best of all, making time each day to just slow down, thank God, and be conscious of listening to Him will calm our souls and lighten our mood.

Finding something to focus on other than the holiday meltdown can keep our emotions on the right track and keep us from falling into the January doldrums.

What are some ways you combat the after-holiday melancholy?