“After a holiday you need a rest”: psychologists told how to cope with post-New Year’s depression

After the New Year holidays, many people are overcome by a whole range of negative experiences. “The holidays are over, it’s time to go to work or study” – in some cases, apathy may well develop into a clinical condition, psychologists warn.

However, there is a way out of the situation, and not just one.

To begin with, experts quoted by the Vomske portal note, it is necessary to reduce the significance of the event itself – the New Year gives a feeling of magic, but with the chiming of the chimes, life is unlikely to change instantly. Having devalued an event, it is easier to experience disappointment if something went wrong, psychologists say.

They also advise not to set goals to start a new life in January or to change something suddenly – stop drinking, lose 10 kg at once, go to the gym – all this does not work well in this case.

You don’t need to expect much not only from yourself, but also from your loved ones – any special gifts, words, hyperattention. Less expectations means less disappointment, psychologists once again emphasize. According to psychosomatologist Ekaterina Tur, quoted by 78.ru, depression often begins precisely against the background of unjustified expectations.

Experts also suggest not to burden yourself with a lot of entertainment during the New Year holidays, to use moderation, since an overly busy program leads to overwork.

Psychologists are also sure that lack of sleep affects well-being – it is important to sleep at night and have fun during the day, and not vice versa.

Experts remind us that life does not depend on the calendar. A holiday can be organized on any day, anywhere, even at work: for example, you can print out a photo from the celebration, frame it and put it on your desktop. At home, you can watch New Year’s films again, and light scented candles to create the atmosphere.

Finally, it is important not to focus on the negative when summing up the past year – it is better to make a list of victories and successes, remember what was good this year, what achievements were, and praise yourself for them.