How to beat the post-holiday blues at work

After back-to-back weeks of celebration, the idea of going back to work can be daunting. Knowing that the holidays are behind you combined with cold weather and short days make many people feel deflated once they go back to the daily grind. Psychologist Linda Walter says that post-holiday blues are not at all uncommon and can be triggered by things as simple as not getting enough sleep or overindulging in food and drink over the holidays. Whatever your reason for feeling down, we’ve got four tips to help you see the bright side this winter:

Schedule something to look forward to

Our calendars fill up around the holidays and coming back to an empty agenda can make us feel sad. Pick a few small things to look forward to and add them to your agenda – for example a concert to see your favorite band, a spa day or reservations for a new restaurant you’ve been wanting to try.

Go on a social media hiatus

Studies show that social media can make us feel lonely and depressed. Scrolling through beach holiday photos while you’re stuck in the office isn’t going to help you feel any better about being back at work. Try taking some time off from social media and watch your mood improve.

Take care of yourself

Make sure you are getting enough sleep and back on a regular sleep schedule after the holidays. Lack of sleep has a serious impact on mood, and it’s important to make sure you get your full eight hours to feel your best. Also, be sure to exercise and eat right to get yourself back on track.

Make a list

If it’s all the work that’s piled up after the holidays that you dread most, try tackling these tasks by making simple to-do lists. First, make a big list of all of the items you need to accomplish. Then prioritize them based on importance and deadline. And lastly, choose a few of these tasks to complete each day. Never underestimate the satisfaction of crossing an item off your to-do list!