Post Holiday Depression

Now that the guests have gone, the tree is down and there is no need to cook 24/7, a feeling of fatigue, anxiety and emotional stress have set in. Is it really depression...or just total exhaustion? Since mid October we find ourselves going to work, trying to get a jump on our Christmas shopping, attending multiple parties, eating and drinking way too much and entertaining guests on a nightly basis. For three months, we are in a cycle of excitement and emotional stimulation. The adrenaline levels are high and we have a surge of energy that is not normally in our bodies. Once the holidays end, usually with that last big night of complete intoxication, we find ourselves in an absolute stand still position. No more parties, gifts, lights and dinners, we are dumped directly back into our normal lives. To many times, this brings on symptoms of depression, but could those symptoms be a reflection of a lesser problem?

Total exhaustion can bring on many of the same symptoms as depression. It makes sense that we are completely wiped out by January 2nd, we just spent a quarter of the past year running at top speed. The chemical over load of sugar, alcohol and caffeine, play a large role in the way that we are feeling emotionally. Once the holidays are over, we go back to a normal diet and it takes the body a while to adjust to the lack of chemical stimulation,( which it has been receiving steadily, for a drawn out period of time.) All of these factor, combined with an interrupted sleep cycle or lack of sleep altogether can cause great wear and tear on the human body (both physically and psychologically).
Before you are convinced that you need that script of Prozac, please try a few tips:

1. If you are able to, take January 2nd off of work. Use this day to sleep. More than likely you were hung over on the 1st and you did not get a good amount of REM cycle. Stay in bed.

2. Snack all day. Don't eat large heavy meals.Taper your self of of the sugar. The same goes for the caffeine. Cold Turkey will only bring on head aches (another symptom of depression.)

3. Plan a "Get A Way" in mid February. Try Las Vegas or go some place warm. This can give you something special to look forward to and can help alleviate the feeling of emotional let down.

4. Research a new diet and workout routine. Give back to your body physically, what you have drained from it over the past three months. Also, opening yourself up to new forms of meditation will help heal the spiritual void that you are experiencing. A new year should bring on new knowledge.

I hope that 2007 marks a year of peace, love and global healing. To all I wish a glorious new beginning. Happy New Year!