Beating the post-holiday blues

The holiday season is over. You’ve eaten more than your fair share of turkey, ham, sides and rich desserts. You made the commitment long before the first function of the season that this would be the year you took things slow and didn’t over extend yourself by responding yes to every invite, but then couldn’t decide who to turn down. You are searching without much luck for some place — any place — to put all the new toys and gadgets you received as gifts. You stare at your decreased bank statement and increased credit card statement. You’re back at work after days or maybe even a week or two of vacation with hundreds of e-mails to check and a never ending to do list.

Also in this issue:

· Stress can take a toll on your body and mind

· Use yoga to help beat stress

It’s easy to see why so many people’s emotions get the best of them after the holidays. For weeks, individuals run on adrenaline, running here and there, trying to get everything on their personal to do list accomplished. It’s for this reason that a number of people suffer from the “blues” after the holidays.

It is important to note that this type of distress is mild and does not last an extended period of time. If time goes by and it doesn’t seem like you are feeling better, it may be important to talk with your general practitioner or a specialist in the field of psychology. The National Institute of Mental

Health specifies that everyone from time to time feels blue or sad, but the feelings are fleeting and pass within a couple of days.

Here are just a few tips for beating the post-holiday blues:

· Find some space for your new things by donating older items to a thrift store. Many organizations will pick up your items depending on the size and quantity of your donation. If you received gift cards to restaurants or stores you do not frequent, contact a local charity to see if they could use the cards. You
can also visit PlasticJungle.com to sell or trade your gift cards with other post-holiday deal seekers.

· Make the commitment to be healthier but not just so you can lose the five or so pounds you gained since Halloween. There are multiple health benefits of eating better, exercising and participating in group classes such as yoga or zumba.

· Prioritize your workload in the office. Ensure that each item on your to-do list has a specific deadline.

· Review your household budget and see if there any expenses you can reduce or eliminate to help rebuild your checking account or pay off debt.

· Ensure you continue to make time with your family a priority. Because of time off from work and school, families spend more time together during the holidays. Have dinner together. Go into work an hour early so that you can leave early and take your little one to the park before it gets dark.

· Make time for yourself. Find something that gives you the opportunity to have time for yourself. Whether it’s reading, exercising or taking a quick nap, be sure that in the new year, you find something that can refresh and renew you.