THE NEW YORKER’S GUIDE TO SURVIVING JANUARY
The post-holiday slump is a real thing. Whether you take a full week off between December 25th and January 1st, or you’re just getting a few days, it can be downright depressing to find yourself back in the office amidst decorations being torn down and a mounting pile of late work. Forbes writes that “even after just a few days off, coming back to the office can be tough.” Early January depression, especially when coupled with the dark weather in winter, can affect your mood, relationships, and ability to perform well at your job. It’s all the more reason to treat yourself and commit to self-care. Here are some brilliant ways to center yourself:
1. DON’T STRESS YOUR RESOLUTIONS
Maybe you’ve made New Year’s resolutions to lose 30 pounds, quit smoking, start tracking your spending and be in bed before 10pm. Trying to immediately adapt to new habits can actually contribute to your feelings of being overwhelmed. We’re not saying that you shouldn’t use January 1st to implement better life habits – but don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day at the gym or find yourself in bed at the usual time. Recognize that habits are invariably a work in progress, and each step forward is worth celebrating.
2. DON’T OVERCOMMIT
The holidays are ostensibly a time to spend with family and your closest friends. In reality, the opposite can be true. Between winter recitals, work parties, shopping and annual commitments, you can feel more like a marathon runner than the embodiment of holiday cheer. It’s all the more reason to give yourself some breathing room after January 1st. Forbes recommends avoiding overloading you at the workplace, and the same goes for your personal life. Don’t feel that you need to honor all of your resolutions and reconnect with all of your friends before January 15th, especially if what you really need is an evening to put your feet up and indulge in reruns of the Real Housewives of whatever.
3. TAKE VACATION DAYS
It may seem counterintuitive to take a few days off after the holidays, but it can actually be a great way to use your vacation days. If you can afford to take a long weekend – or come back to the office midweek, you can utilize your hard-earned day for exchanging gifts, taking down your holiday decorations, or simply enjoying the rare treat of a day without any commitments or to-do items at all. While you may not have the time – or budget – for a sorely needed, week-long vacation in Bora Bora, don’t view January as a sprint at the expense of your happiness and wellbeing.
4. PLAN A DATE NIGHT
Be honest. How much time do you really get to reconnect with your spouse during the holidays? Whether you’re childless or parents, the days you do get off around the winter holidays can quickly evolve into the opposite of relaxation and reconnection. You’ve probably got your babysitter on speed dial, but your time away from home is spent at parties. Besides, you’ll likely find yourself wrapping presents, cooking, cleaning or writing cards on rare evenings at home.
These factors are all the more reason to put a date night on the calendar for yourself and your partner in January. How a Long Island Limo can make your holiday better, and spend a weekend day touring the wineries. Have an elegant dinner and take the time to chat and reconnect. Single people need date nights too, so head into town with your girlfriends for a day of chauffeured transportation and shopping. You’ve surely earned it.
How do you battle the inevitable post-holidays slump?
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