It is not uncommon for people to get depressed after the holidays.  Sometimes we are on a rush from the holiday season, and when it is over in a blink of an eye we can become depressed.   Sometimes the holidays can bring on a lot of hurt, maybe your family or friends said or did something hurtful, and maybe the holidays bring up sadness for you.  Either way, it is okay to have a difficult time during and after the holidays, but what are you going to do about it?

Some times it is helpful to seek professional mental health counseling and process through what has been going on for you.  If you don’t want to do that, there are a few things you can do to help yourself.

-Stay busy but not too busy
-Reflect on the positive, fun and good memories
-Stick to the promises you made over the holidays (i.e. call your grandma once a
week, meet your friend for coffee, make more time for your family)
-Continue your deep breathing
-Continue making time for yourself in the midst of your day-to-day chaos
-Do something you love to do, either by yourself or with someone else
-Talk to someone, don’t seclude yourself
-Don’t push don’t your sadness/depression, it’s nothing to be ashamed of
-Seek help when it’s needed

Just as I reminded you to enjoy the holidays, I want to remind you to enjoy life.  The holidays come and go.  They may be rough but ultimately we survive them.  Life goes by fast too and we all have a lot of life to live.  Enjoy it.  Life is a lot more bearable when you can enjoy it.  And if you are reading this and asking “HOW?” Come see us here at New Hope.  We want to help you figure out how to enjoy life.  It may seem hard, but it is possible.  There are good things in the future for you.  If you don’t believe it, that is okay.  I believe it for you.

Thank you for sticking with me through this holiday series.
Here’s to an amazing 2019!!