Culturally we proclaim that the holidays are a moment of joy and rest, but in reality they can create stress and exhaustion. Feeling bummed after the holidays and discussing it can be considered distasteful. This contradiction can create cognitive dissonance and may break your success stride. You may be asked to provide motivation to others at a time where you personally cannot find motivation. This holiday season has made me realize that exhaustion can play a negative role in your overall sense of optimism. Exhaustion can make you feel lazy and even envious of folks that are able to remain positive during moments of lethargy. It makes you realize the importance of the body in the pursuit of success and how knocking it out of whack can momentarily derail you. A tired body leads to a tired mind which in turn leads to a tired spirit. We call this the "Holiday Haze."
The holiday haze can be difficult to snap out of. Sometimes you would prefer to be uncomfortable and agitated then take the steps to fix it. St. Augustine spoke of this in his book ‘Confessions.’ He mentioned that in his youth he would wallow in a ‘pleasurable depression,’ and that, although he could have tried to fight it, actually chose to prolong his suffering because it was strangely satisfying. Maybe you can relate. Does the idea of fixing the holiday haze stress you out even more? If so, then let go of that idea and accept the haze. Maybe the haze is telling you something that you need. If accepting the haze is unacceptable then what can you do?
When a person recovers from a physical injury, they are instructed to take their time and slowly regain mobility over the damaged muscle or bone with gentle exercise and movement. Similarly, do not feel like you need a drill instructor to snap you out of the holiday haze. A few minor adjustments to your diet, gentle exercise, and light mental stimulation can do the trick. Get a few minutes of fresh air today, and consider doing light exercise like a taking a slow walk. Eat healthy meals with lean meats, vegetables, and drink plenty of water. If you want to drink alcohol limit it to one drink with dinner, do NOT drink prior to bed. Take a hot shower and make sure you wash your face. Take some time to read or write, and consider putting on some type of white noise in the background. I enjoy listening to YouTube videos with gentle wind and crackling fires. Unlike the body you can heal your mind within an evening in many circumstances unless the problem is a result of trauma or a more severe psychological problem. If this is the case, I would suggest you pursue a licensed professional for guidance.
