Winter holidays, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year, are supposed to be happy and exciting moments in our lives. But that is not the case for many people, and it doesn't depend on whether you have family or not, living with someone else or by yourself. The holiday blues can affect a wide group of individuals.

Stresses Associated With New Year

New Year is a difficult time. Considering it is the end of the year in many respects, many people are swamped with work trying to meet the deadlines. On top of that, gloomy and dark weather doesn't help. And on top of that, you have extra work, of buying presents, decorating, and in general spending more money. And you are supposed to do that in a great mood and with a cheerful smile.

Many people ask you about your plans for Christmas, and it's all just so much pressure! At the same time, as the year comes to an end, most likely you are contemplating if you have done well, or not so much.

If you look behind the curtain, could it be that you are very tired, stressed and overwhelmed? With several to-do lists, with secret hopes for true love, a better-paid job, maybe better family/friend’s relationships, a healthier and fitter body, and much more.

Let's stop being so critical of yourselves, and whether you are a single parent, stay-home parent, happily married, single, business owner, unemployed, highly professional. In the end, those are just the roles we play.

Top Tips to Combat the Holiday Blues

If you are feeling tired, stressed, not interested, having sleeping difficulty, mood swings and just not being yourself, you are not alone. What to do?

1. Acknowledge your feelings. It can be very tough to go through this season, and you have all the right to feel blue. Especially this year is nothing ordinary, impossible to plan or distract yourself in the usual way. It's ok not to be ok.
2. If you are lonely, look for a community, do volunteering, or get involved in religious or other social events. Helping others always gives a special purpose and feeling of satisfaction and deep meaning.
3. Create a goal for yourself. For example, a charity fundraising challenge. You will do something great to help, will receive a feeling of accomplishment and get busy during the holiday season.
4. Take time to think and re-evaluate your life. It is never too late to make a change. I find that the 100-wishes is a wonderful exercise that can keep you busy, positive and thinking deeply about what do you actually want. Please take a piece of paper and start writing what you desire, it can be as small as ice cream and as big as meeting true love, changing career and so on.
5. Make a list of people that you wanted to get in touch, but never had time with. Please do it now, send warm wishes and kind thoughts!
6. Do you remember that for such a long time you wanted to clear that closet (loft, garage, inbox, picture file and so on)? Now it's a perfect time to do it, turn on the music you like and dedicate some time to it. By clearing the space around us, we are clearing our minds.
7. Finally, do something not useful but pleasant and pamper yourself. At least once a year you are allowed to spoil yourself with a silly movie, bubble bath, chocolate cake, a bucket of ice cream, a bottle of wine, have a lazy morning and be your beautiful self! We all deserve a break sometimes!

Don't Suffer in Silence

If you are feeling depressed and cannot cope, please ask for help. There are charity organisations that can help. There are many private counsellors, psychotherapists, life coaches that will have extra time for emergencies.

Remember you are your own best companion, partner and friend, no one knows yourself better than you. So, take care of those precious relations and the most important person.

Want to keep learning? Find more articles from Julia Martinez - ReselfMe:

• Help Yourself Out of Spiralling Anxious Thoughts
• How to Be Healthier and More Productive 
• Midlife Isn't a Crisis Point; It's a Second Chance
• Why Are There Huge Barriers for People Asking for Help?