So, I’ll be honest here. Thanksgiving was wonderful, but this morning I was sitting in front of my desktop, doing my job, and feeling a little blue.
Post-holiday blue is never a myth. After holidays, many people will have a hard time returning to the reality and feel more stressed. How on earth can we back to the old routine and do our job as quickly as possible?
Clinical psychologist gives us some tips:
1. Make some new holiday plans
Part of the reason we feel blue after holidays is because we spend a month or even longer time preparing for it, but the holiday gone so quickly in just several days. Then we back to work with no more holiday plan in the cold and dark days of winter, which may even cause seasonal depression.
In order to refresh yourself, try to think about positive things. You can start to do some planning for next vacation or holiday, for example, selecting a Christmas tree for the upcoming Christmas holiday.
2. Give yourself a job objective
Try to set up a goal when you back to work. This can give you a drive and help you concentrate on work and assignments. As clinical psychologist Linda Smith said, "Having a good plan can help you get back into the swing of business as usual."
3. Organize your desk
After a holiday, your desk can become so messy. This morning when I opened the office door and stared at a mountain of paperwork on my desk — boom — I had no idea where I left off.
Ring a bell to you? If so, organizing the desk can help you get your mind into your work. This can also make you productive and back to the peak of creativity.
4. Meditation
Many studies suggest that meditation can help promote relaxation, reduce stress and improve mental health.
You can try to inhale and exhale deeply for five minutes or take a walk outdoors during the lunch break. You can also do yoga before going to sleep.
5. Make a to-do list
It is suggested to make a to-do list before you come back to work. A to-do list tells you all the tasks you need to do so that you won’t be overwhelmed when walking into the office.
When making a list, you will set priorities for all the tasks and coordinate similar tasks. This also helps focus your mind and make you more energized.
6. Frame a new picture in your office
Try to frame a new photo of your family or friends during the holiday. When looking at the photo, you will recall happy memories and light up your mind.
"Recalling a nice memory when looking at a photo may lead to more positive thoughts such as, 'I am loved' which in turn relaxes muscles and breathing [and even] leads to a change in behavior, [causing you to smile more often]," said Smith.
I myself has already felt the effects of these tricks. Hope they can help with your post-holiday blues, too.
