Vitamin J to Beat the Post-Holiday Blues

Beat the Post-Holiday Blues With an Extra Dose of Vitamin J

The holiday season is said to be one of the most wonderful times of the year, but in reality, it’s also one of the most challenging. Especially for those grieving the loss of a loved one; experiencing personal financial stress; or living with a complex chronic illness, mental health condition, or substance use disorder. The holidays themselves can be a major source of stress, anxiety, and sadness for many of these people, and they may breathe a sigh of relief once January 1st finally rolls around and life returns to normal.

Others, however — such as those who truly enjoy the hustle and bustle of the holidays or suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the cold, winter months — may struggle with their mental health once the busy holiday season ends. This is why the third Monday in January — known as Blue Monday — is rumored to be the “most depressing” day of the year (though there isn’t sufficient research to back up this claim).

What we do know for sure is that post-holiday depression is very real, whether because the holidays have ended; symptoms of SAD are at their worst; or people are coping with post-holiday financial stress, burnout, and/or disappointment that their holiday wasn’t as merry as they’d hoped it would be.

Let’s look at a few holiday-related highs and lows and determine whether you could benefit from an extra dose of vitamin J now that the holiday season is behind us. Hint: the answer is YES!

The Highs & Lows of the Holiday Season

The holiday blues (or post-holiday blues) affects about 64 percent of people, and the months of January and February tend to be two of the most challenging for those experiencing SAD. This can make it difficult to determine whether someone is indeed struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder or if what they’re actually experiencing is post-Christmas depression as they come down from the highs of the holiday season.

In any case, there are several reasons why someone might experience stress, anxiety, and/or sadness before, during, or after the holiday season:

Exacerbation of pain, fatigue, and other symptoms associated with complex chronic illness.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Low levels of vitamin D.
Emotional exhaustion (this is especially common among empaths, highly sensitive people/HSPs, and introverted personality types).
Lack of exercise, nutrients, sleep, or poor quality sleep.
Difficulties adjusting to daylight savings time.
Overeating at holiday events.
Excessive consumption of alcohol and/or high-sugar foods.
Excessive holiday spending.
Guilt while living abroad during the holidays

The pressures of gift-giving and receiving during the holidays, for instance, can mean we’re spending a whole lot more than we probably should — adding to the stress in our lives and harming our physical and psychological health long after the holiday season is behind us. This is true even when the gifts we’re giving and receiving are meant to promote good health and well-being!

What’s more, the holidays are often a difficult time of year for those coping with grief, loss, or separation from loved ones: things I can definitely relate to after living overseas for 15 years! It was exciting to celebrate the holidays in different parts of the world and explore cultural festivities that varied from my own; however, I still felt guilty for missing out on holiday gatherings and other significant life events. You can learn more about my life as an expat in my new book, Passports and Parasites.

JOY: My Favorite Vitamin for Combatting the Post-Holiday Blues

Though the holiday season and rumored “most depressing” day of the year are both officially behind us, the highs and lows we’ve experienced over the past few months have the potential to affect our physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being long after the months of November, December, and January.

This is a positive thing in some cases — for example, when we receive a thoughtful holiday gift from a loved one and it continues to make us smile a few months later — but it can also be negative if we’re left paying off loads of holiday debt or we’re so emotionally exhausted that it’s harming our physical and mental health. It can also be concerning if our post-holiday blues evolves into depression; perhaps we can’t help but feel that the “most wonderful” time of year is over and there’s nothing else to look forward to.

So while the months of January and February may seem like the best time of year to start tackling those New Year’s goals you’ve set for yourself, the most important thing you can do right now is assess your need for vitamin J: JOY! Joy is something we can all cultivate more of — even when we’re feeling sad, stressed, or anxious during or after the holidays — and it’s one of my favorite solutions to beat the post-holiday blues.

Here are a few tips to help you find the hidden joys in your life:

Write in a gratitude journal.
Set aside a minimum of 10 minutes each day to fill your cup with the things you love (a few examples could include reading a book, stretching at your desk, enjoying a walk in nature, watching a funny YouTube video, meditating or practicing yoga, or learning something new).
Create a winter wellness routine that enhances your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Recite positive affirmations.
Create new, non-holiday traditions with family and friends (like a monthly board game night, Friday movie night, or Sunday supper club).
Donate to charities you’re passionate about (giving — whether during or outside of the holiday months — does wonders for the body and mind).

The holiday season and the months that follow are a real challenge for many of us, but choosing joy is something we can all do — even when life gets tough. We can choose joy even when we aren’t necessarily feeling our happiest, strongest, or most financially secure, and I hope this post helps you to find the hidden joys in your life. While the joys in our lives are not always obvious, they are undoubtedly there.

Ready to take back your health and heal from complex chronic illness? Book a call with me to learn how 1:1 functional medicine coaching can make a positive difference in your life and help to improve your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. And don’t forget to check out my first book, Passports and Parasites!

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