COPING AFTER THE HOLIDAYS

​The Holidays Are Over But The Problems They Can Cause Are Still Around. This Is A Special Form Of Stress And It Takes A Lot Of Effort To Manage Stress After The Holidays.

What Is Stress? Stress Is The Physical And Emotional Reaction Of The Person In Demanding Situations, Obligations And Changes. After The Holidays All Three Conditions Are Met Because The Return To The Routine Is A Changing And Demanding Situation.
What Are The Symptoms Of Stress After The Holidays?
·        Sadness
·        Melancholy
·        Anger
·        Anxiety
·        Tiredness
·        Headaches
·        Muscle Pain And Grasp
·        Feelings Of Failure To Meet The Obligations
·        Little Things Seem ‘Mountainous’.
Expect Some Letdown. The Holiday Season Is Both Joyful And Stressful At Once. Returning To The Usual Routine And Probably Quieter Workplace Than Normal Can Dampen Your Spirits Just By The Absence Of Exciting Things To Do And Look Forward To. Equally, If Your Christmas And New Year’s Eve Period Wasn’t As Enjoyable As You Had Hoped, You Can Be Left Feeling Down About The Lack Of Enjoyment You’d Expected, And This Can Sour Your Mood. Expecting To Feel A Little Low Is A Way Of Telling Yourself That This Is A Normal Feeling And That It Will Soon Pass Once The Routine Re-Establishes Itself. 
Look Forward To The Year Ahead.
Trying To Keep A Positive Frame Of Mind And Planning For Interesting And Fulfilling Events Throughout The Year Is A Good Way To Calm Your Current Blues.
In General, To Manage Stress You Need To:
·        Avoid Commitments That Are Beyond Your Capabilities, It’s Ok To Say NO
·        Follow A Healthy Diet
·        Allocate Enough Time For Rest
·        Take Time For Yourself, Self-Care Is Important
·        Maintain Realistic Expectations
·        Stay Connected With Friends And Family
·        Have Priorities And Goals For Your Life
·        Apply Relaxation Techniques
·        Get Support From Qualified Professionals When Required