Part of what makes a holiday so special is that it happens only once a year. If every day was Christmas, then it wouldn’t be so special. And with all of the celebration and excitement during Christmastime, it sure is special. But to go from the best time of the year to just another day can feel dull and even a bit dreary. We call this the post-Christmas blues.

But you don’t have to go through those blues. Add cheer to your life after the most wonderful time of the year with this list of 10 things that will have you back on track with brighter days.

post holiday blues1. Create a Dopamine Menu

Dopamine is neurotransmitter that’s important for keeping us motivated, in addition to a range of brain processes involved in activity such as movement and emotional regulation.  If you’re feeling the drain of the post-Christmas blues, then try the dopamine menu. The “treats” on this menu are activities that you pick to brighten a gloomy day.

When coming up with the activities to list, think like you’re building a menu at a restaurant. Quick activities are appetizers, longer activities are main courses, limited-time activities (i.e., seeing a movie in theaters) are specials, and self-indulgent activities are desserts. How to use your menu and when is up to you, and you can modify it over time to suit your wants and needs as they may change.

2. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of focusing your attention on the moment that you’re in. The practice has been shown through multiple studies to improve mental and physical health. Try mindfulness for some much needed calm and clarity in our busy world. Great books have been written on mindfulness, and you can augment your journey into mindfulness with one of many helpful meditation apps that offer free trials. YouTube also has a variety of excellent meditation content, including guided sessions and relaxing meditation songs.

meditation and mindfulness3. Learn Something New

A skill or hobby gives your mind a fresh path to follow. Expand your horizons and embrace the unknown as you navigate new territory in areas such as interpersonal communication, coding, and personal branding. Find a learning program that works for you from resources such as LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, or Skillshare, and reap the benefits of a new skill for the new year. A new skill will benefit you mentally and give you an advantage in the world. You’ll be glad you chose to learn something new over binging Netflix.

Consider attending local classes or community education programs as well. Creative activities through these programs can be calming while providing opportunities to socialize and network with members of your community.

4. Volunteer

Volunteer work serves the community and the world, while the volunteer benefits as well. Saint Francis of Assisi, who established the renowned Franciscan friars, once said, “for it is in giving that we receive”. The gift of charity is not only felt by those it is given to, but by the giver as well. Check your local community paper or Facebook groups for opportunities to get involved.

Volunteering is a great outlet to meet people who embody the Christmas spirit of giving and serving others. It also offers a sense of purpose and provides meaningful opportunities to connect with others, both young and old. Younger members of your community can bring joy through their energy, while older members can share deep perspective and wisdom.

5. Hang Patio Lights

Patio lights are the perfect way to brighten evenings and lighten moods at your home. Create a cheerful atmosphere that encourages good vibes when the weather is mild with LED string lights as patio lights. You can reuse your Christmas lights to decorate places around the patio near hang-out spots. Wrap poles or pergolas and enjoy the cheery shine. When it’s time to replace or upgrade your string lights, we recommend getting the best in brightness and durability, which you can only get from high-quality, pro-grade Christmas lights.

And for more a permanent patio lighting arrangement, look to fashionable bistro style lights. These are great for shedding light on a patio that gets frequent attention during the year, and will be a favorite with family and friends at cookouts and lively events.

patio lighting ideas

6. Pick Up Exercise

 

Exercise battles more than just bulge—it’s also an invigorating way to elevate your mood. A good workout releases endorphins and other neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin that positively impact the way you feel. Whether high or low-intensity, you’ll benefit either way! With a regular exercise routine, you can take the benefits of working out from temporary to long-term. Consistent exercise helps to reduce anxiety and manage the effects of mental health disorders such as depression and PTSD.

After Christmas, a number of fitness programs and apps are sold at a discount as New Years drives high demand. Don’t miss out if you’re looking to save money on some great offers. And for free material, YouTube is a fantastic resource.

7. Get a SAD Lamp

Winter cuts down on time outdoors for many people, especially those in cold and snowy climates during winter. Lack of sunshine due to staying indoors frequently can reduce the body’s production of vitamin D, reducing serotonin levels that impact mood. And for some, the post-Christmas blues is part of a broader condition known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that occurs during certain seasons—winter and fall being the most common—and results in a variety of symptoms, from sadness to low energy.

The SAD lamp is the central component to light therapy used in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder. Its use may also benefit those going through the post-Christmas blues, especially paired with extended time indoors. The SAD lamp produces a high-intensity light that’s meant to simulate the effects of sunlight and ultimately shift the balance between melatonin and serotonin production toward more serotonin. Using a sad lamp is straightforward: as close as possible to when you wake up in the morning, sit in front of a lamp of the recommended intensity of 10,000 lux for 30 minutes. While in front of the light, you can engage in sedentary activity such as reading or eating.

8. Put Up RGB Lights

RGB lights are an appealing addition to an indoor space, providing an eye-catching array of colors to lighten the mood and channel your emotions. Put them on a timer so that they greet you with glowing glee when you wake up in the morning or come home from work. And cast your indoor space in the right colors for the occasion, such as pink for Valentine’s Day and green for St. Patrick’s Day. You can find plenty of opportunities to decorate where and how you like from Twinkly’s selection of RGB lights.

decorating with colorful lights for a mood boostTwinkly Dots

Line your room with dynamic Twinkly Dots. These lights are attached to a thin, low profile line that puts the focus on the lights themselves. Twinkly Dots are bigger than the lights on a typical LED strip, helping you make a bolder statement in vibrant color. And like other Twinkly products, you get maximum functionality to display colors and patterns that match your creativity through the Twinkly App.

Twinkly Flex

Manifest your imagination with Twinkly Flex lights. Unlike many other RGB lights on the market that display light through discrete nodes, Twinkly Flex’s light shines seamlessly through the line for a beautiful presentation. Like its name suggests, Twinkly Flex can flex with ease, bending left or right to conform to your creative vision. Reach your expanded scope by combining lines for a continuous design.

Twinkly Music Dongle USB interface

Let your lights sync to any song for an entrancing dance party with the Twinkly Music Dongle USB interface. Sound is picked up by the precision microphone and converted into rhythmic patterns. Simply press a button and you can change the effect to fit the vibe.

9. Garden!

Plants are associated with a number of benefits for people according to studies, from increasing productivity to boosting mood. Houseplants are wondrous natural specimens that quite literally freshen up the indoors by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, removing airborne toxins in the process. Caring for plants carries a host of benefits as well, such as improving general well-being and growing a connection with nature. Try some indoor gardening with a windowsill garden or some simple potted houseplants, and take the chance to get creative with it: use stylish planters and pots to pretty up the place and even complement your indoor decor.

indoor garden10. Self-Care

One of the most effective ways to keep your mood up is with self care. Schedule soothing bath sessions to recharge. Set up a facial, manicure, or pedicure to indulge in some TLC and quality time with yourself. Self-care can also be considered in simpler, yet sometimes overlooked, forms as well, such as eating healthy and getting good sleep. And don’t be too busy for yourself: take part in the activities you enjoy to maintain a happy, balanced life.

These ideas and strategies can can be a big help to get you unstuck from the post-Christmas rut. Balance healthy habits and fulfilling interests with taking excellent care of yourself. And don’t underestimate the power that beautiful decorations have to brighten your days well after Christmas.

Planning your display for next season? Have some off-season decorating ideas? We’re here to answer your decorating questions for whenever and wherever! We offer support as one of the most trusted brands in Christmas decorating—with knowledge and experience backed by five decades in the industry. Email us at [email protected] or call 1-800-391-5280 to speak with one of our qualified Christmas Designers today!