Call it what you want; the holiday haze (holi-haze?), or the post-party depression – January isn’t always easy. Here is an insight into January Blues, and how to get through it.
Post-party depression isn’t new news, but January sometimes hits extra hard. After nights filled with the high of bubbly, presents, family and friends, it’s hard to settle into a more mundane routine again. For some, January can mean renewal and a fresh sense of purpose. But looming in the air, and lesser talked about is the creeping dread and overwhelming pressure of the new year, and the need to meet new goals and milestones.
Forget Monday, It’s January Blues
The term January Blues started somewhere in the Northern Hemisphere, where the first month of the year sees more white and grey than any other color, and everything feels bleak. Tack on the intense need to reflect on the past year and make new goals, the feeling might eat you alive.
While we don’t have the cold to grapple with, New Year’s resolutions and the come-down from the holiday high can knock you off balance. Even though it’s rarely talked about, especially here in Singapore, the low is not as foreign as you might think, so don’t panic just yet.
Downward Spiral
January Blues are common. But there are some ways you might be digging yourself deeper into the hole.
- Making unrealistic goals
Dreaming big isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but pitching your sights too high and you might fall harder than you anticipate. Overly ambitious resolutions can feel daunting to even begin and lead to more stress and higher chances of procrastination. And if you don’t fulfill them by the end of the year, the low mood might snowball.
- Midnight oil, sleepless nights
Sleep is for us what a reboot is for your devices – a reset. Cortisol is the body’s stress-management hormone, and runs conversely on your sleep cycle. Cortisol increases during the day, and drops as the sun fade. However, without enough or good quality sleep, your body’s cortisol levels continue to stay high, which in turn results in more depressive moods.
- No rest for the wicked
It’s been a long couple of months. The adrenaline of the last push at work all through November into December (likely without enough sleep and rest), and then all the social commitments that come with the festivities of Christmas and New Year’s.
There likely hasn’t been much rest programmed into that schedule. Now, with the energy more settled, your body has gone into recharge mode. The start of work doesn’t help with the recharge, and you’re even more tired and frustrated at the lack of energy.
Smoothening out the ride
Low moods are inevitable, especially if it’s in the air. It’s a matter of riding out this little dip in mood, but there are a few tips to make it smoother.
- Couple drops of realism
During this season of reflection and goal-setting, be realistic. Honesty is always a hard filter to put in place, even more so with yourself, but future you will be grateful.
Don’t lose sight of the ideals, but make sure the milestones to get there are within reach in the time period you’ve set for yourself. Put in place check-ins every few months to reassess and recalibrate accordingly.
- Rest and relaxation
Just because the holidays are over doesn’t mean forgoing rest. And we’re not talking about sleep (though please do take care to sleep right; it’s important). Doing things that bring you any amount of joy and calm can also be a restful reprieve from more taxing everyday work.
Remember, being rested means you can sustain yourself for longer.
- Food for the soul
2022 was the year we learnt that our jobs and goals didn’t have to be all about conventional achievements – career, cars, getting married and having a family. 2023 is the year that you set some goals for things you love to do. We’re talking creating art, finding new hobbies, and creating a semblance of a self-care routine, no matter how scrappy.
Productivity isn’t all about work; it’s also learning about yourself – expanding your horizons and sustaining yourself emotionally, spiritually and mentally.
- Chase the sun, touch some grass
You know the drill. Exercise for mental health is a cliché and as much as we are reluctant to do it, the science is there. Movement boosts mood. If you’re not ready to get into a more intensive routine yet, don’t. No point forcing yourself into something, you’ll hate it even more.
Take your pick of physical activity, but move. You need your fill of endorphins.
- A spoonful of sugar
Gifting season is over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself. It doesn’t have to be expensive (because let’s face it, Christmas and New Year’s might have done sizeable damage to your wallet).
A cheeky ice cream cone, or a cosy sip of wine after a long day, going somewhere comforting for dinner, or buying something you’ve been eyeing for a while, anything that might perk yourself up and keep you going.
If you are having trouble getting back into the grind, or getting quickly overwhelmed, talk to us at Concierge By Quest! We’ll sort you out.
