A New Years Depression?

The holidays are over, the family has gone back home, and a new year has begun. I am feeling very depressed all the sudden. I don't know if it's because the weather has been gloomy and cold, or that all the fun and anticipation of the holidays are over, but I am not feeling my old self.

It could be a mixture of things. I have been off work for almost a week, and it is now time to go back. I don't want to. The last two days I haven't wanted to do anything. Taking my holiday lights down yesterday just made me more depressed. All the decorations are gone, the house is so plain and boring looking to me now. My son is out of school, and he has been sick, so that is just another bummer. The new year is not starting out on a very good note for me so far. The holidays were so fun, exchanging gifts, being with friends an family, seeing the kids so happy, now it's all over, and everyone is broke, which just adds to the depression for me!

Depression hits a lot of folks during the holidays. Some people over eat, some people don't have anybody to spend the holidays with, the weather is cold in most parts of the country, whatever the reason, studies find that people get the 'holiday blues'.

I was pondering ideas on how I could cheer myself up. I have come up with a few ideas that might help me, and someone else that feels the same way. I have a gift certificate to a restaurant, so I will be taking my mom and son to lunch soon. The weather is cold, so I have decided to start a few projects in the house to keep my mind busy. Of course I feel like doing nothing, so I will have to drag myself out of my computer chair to do these things! I am going to spend as much time as I can with my son before school starts again. He got a few things for Christmas that he needs help putting together, so that should be fun for the both of us. He keeps walking around the house telling me how bored he is, but he is sick, so I want him to rest. That just depresses me too, knowing he is so bored. I hope he doesn't feel the same way I do. Another thing is talking to friends and family about how I am feeling. That always helps. Writing about it is helping as well. I know I am only feeling this way because of the season. I have no history of depression, and have not experienced this before. I hope it passes soon. I think going to work this evening will keep me busy too.

Starting the new year in a state of depression is a common thing among Americans. The fun and anticipation is gone, the pressure of starting the new year out right is here, the weather is cold, the vacation is over, and after that being said, I can see why so many people get depressed around the holidays!