Is it only me or does the beginning of each new year arrive at a bad time? Seriously, you’ve just traipsed through the holidays, from Thanksgiving through Christmas (or Hanukkah), with days filled with family, friends and lots of fattening foods. If you’re like me, you probably ate too much, spent too much time waiting in traffic and realized you couldn’t possibly make everyone happy.
That’s just a recipe for the January blues!
It’s even documented that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons, beginning and ending at about the same times every year. According to the Mayo Clinic, most people with SAD experience symptoms beginning in the fall and continuing into the winter months, sapping their energy and making them feel moody. While this certainly isn’t true for everyone, the beginning of the new year can often trigger bouts of irritability and anxiety.
How can you help this first month of the new year be filled with joy rather than dread? Here are a few suggestions.
Get moving!
Although losing weight and exercising are common New Year’s resolutions, there is a reason for that! Moving around, whether it’s committing to a gym or just a stroll around the block, helps release endorphins in the brain. These endorphins in turn trigger a positive feeling in the body, which can help promote sleep, ward off depression and increase self-esteem. Sounds like a winner, doesn’t it?
Start simple.
If you’re like me, you may be ready to throw the Christmas decorations in their boxes and reorganize your whole house because you’re tired of the clutter. Rein yourself in a little bit and just start with one problem area. Or if you’re a procrastinator, do the same thing! Start with one area, whether it’s in your home or in your personal life, and work on that area for a few minutes each day. Nothing discourages me faster than thinking I’m going to lose 10 pounds the first month and then not reaching that goal. Take it day by day and recognize the positive changes you’re making.
Don’t overcommit.
Do you feel like you spend half of your free time in the car? Just say no! Your children don’t have to participate in every sport or activity, and they may feel just as stretched as you do. Select those activities that bring you the most satisfaction, and cut out the ones that drain you of your energy.
Celebrate the simple joys.
My husband recently had rotator cuff surgery, which will put him out of his current work and in physical therapy for the next several months. While my tendency is to worry about everything from how to pay the bills to whether we are going to drive each other crazy or not, I’m going to resist that urge and celebrate the simple joys of being together. Going into this season of uncertainty, we are both committed to looking at our circumstances as an opportunity for growth and renewal. I am going to celebrate the fact that while my husband won’t be completing any DIY projects for me anytime soon, he is taking over most of the homeschooling of our two teenagers to allow me more time for blogging. That’s a win-win, don’t you think?
What brings you the most joy? Is it found in the beauty of nature or watching your children reach a new stage in their life? Maybe it’s a cup of coffee with a friend or some loud, rockin’ music. Whatever it is, celebrate it! You can conquer the January blues with just a little bit of perspective. Good luck!