When the holiday lights come down, and the decorations are all packed safely away, many people struggle with a strange sense of emptiness. There are natural stresses. Our daily grind waits for us, and our bank accounts are running dry from all the holiday expenses—but as we look forward to the new year, we sometimes feel a sense of dread. It may surprise you to learn that this is more common than people realize. After all, it’s natural to contemplate the future and ask ourselves questions about what the year will look like. The answers to those questions can be scary.
In today’s article, we’ll explore how to deal with anxiety after you’ve put the holidays behind you.
Table of Contents
Make an Anchor Trip
One of the hardest parts about putting the holidays behind us is that there’s a long dry spell waiting for our next big holiday or vacation. Since anxiety feeds on uncertainty and lack of clarity, one way to combat it is to add a little positivity to the mix. Consider scheduling something you can look forward to and plan around: a night out with friends, nearby concerts, or a day trip to explore a nearby town.
When planning something like this, the fewer moving parts, the better. Don’t set expectations too high. Look at this as a way to give yourself a breather from routine at work.
Re-establish Healthy Routines
Whether you dread or enjoy the holidays, they wreak havoc on our routines. After the holidays, you may struggle to get back on track with healthy eating habits or find your sleep schedule disrupted. One of the most important things to do after the holidays is reclaim healthy habits and routines.
- Get back on a regular exercise routine.
- Make an effort to get your sleep cycle back on track.
- Give yourself time to get back in the swing of things.
You may struggle to pick up where you left off—in that case, start small instead of trying to bite off too much all at once. Getting back to normal will take time.
Maintain Connections
One of the best ways to combat anxiety is by taking care of your support structure. If a post-holiday hangover leaves you anxious and on edge, reach out to a trusted friend or family member to discuss your worries. Giving voice to the things that we’re afraid of has a way of making them feel more manageable. In addition, reminding yourself that you have people you can turn to for support may help boost your confidence.
Set Boundaries
If you’re stressing out about upcoming social events or struggling with an onslaught of chores and tasks at home, take a minute to make sure you aren’t overextending yourself. Try cutting back on any unnecessary commitments. Sometimes, the best way to take care of yourself is by telling someone else no.
Mindfulness
Anxiety feeds on our worries about the future. Accordingly, one of the best ways to fight back against anxiety is to ground yourself in the moment. Establishing a mindfulness routine rooted in breathing exercises and sensory stimulation will help you snap out of your worries and focus on the here and now. Conversely, journaling can also be helpful as a way of letting you explore your emotions and fears so that you can put a name on them. Understanding what’s causing your anxiety will help you defuse it.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re having trouble with anxiety, reach out to schedule a consultation for anxiety therapy. As a therapist, I help people by connecting them with strategies to manage the issues in their daily lives. Anxiety can be tricky to confront on your own—but you don’t have to do it alone.
