I live for holidays. All year long, I eagerly anticipate the next approaching day, all building up to the fall and winter seasons. With most of the major festivities (birthdays, Christmas) in my family coming in the latter half of the year, we have to wait a long time for the big events. Thus, after Christmas is over, I get the feeling I used to get as a child when the 4th of July hit: the enchantment is over and we’re about to reenter the “real world.” (If you don’t understand the 4th of July marker, here in NC, school begins in early August, so that meant the summer bliss was about to end.) So, here are 10 fun, quirky, and serious ways you might try to battle the January blahs.

1.Get some rest—but not too much!
After such a hectic season with all of your energies going towards creating a Christmas wonderland, you and your body need some serious down time. Try to get a few extra naps, some moments of respite, or additional times of peace that you’re not normally used to. Physical, emotional, and mental recuperation are an absolute must! But don’t isolate yourself so much that you have the opportunity to get lonely.
2. Take a bubble bath
Enjoy some quiet time in a nice, warm, relaxing bubbly bath. There’s nothing more soothing to me than bubbles, warmth, and a nice good book.
3. Clear the clutter!
Now, I’m not an advocate for eliminating the Christmas-land from your home immediately, because I love to smother myself in the season as long as (reasonably) possible! BUT, organize and sort through your new additions that appeared in the form of those gorgeously decorated boxes tied with pretty bows last month. Find places for the new items. Making your home feel like, well, home, is enough to help eliminate any additional stresses that you don’t need in your life right now.
4. Keep the excitement of Christmas going
There are probably a few special presents that you received that you are still quite giddy over. It may be a new book, hobby accessories, or television series on DVD, but whatever you fancy, keep it around so you have something new and exciting to look forward to using when you get the opportunity. This excitement offers distraction from the fact that the holidays are passing and instead gives you something to look forward to within the upcoming days, weeks, and months.
5. Have a movie night with family or friends
Whether it be new DVDs received over Christmas or watching old faves, schedule some time with friends for a quiet evening that requires little effort other than gathering around the TV, perhaps a few simple snacks, and some good ol’ comfort from those you love. Have them come to you if at all possible!
6. Create a January “holiday”Now this one probably sounds silly to most of you, but I am a holiday fiend. I love having things to celebrate. I live for traditions. With my Family & Consumer Science background, I vividly recall from my studies how families who show resilience are built upon family traditions. And who with a chronic disease doesn’t need to have some major resilience? With all of the Christmas merriness having dissipated quicker than a flash in the night, I desperately need something to look forward to! My husband and I decided to come up with our own make believe holiday the other day. We decided upon “Snowflake Day,” to be celebrated Jan 18th or so. Now the irony in this is we live in North Carolina which rarely is awarded any measurable amounts of snow. But it’s something fun, even if we probably won’t seriously celebrate it. But we spent time deciding what we’d do on this day, and that in and of itself gave us moments of happiness. And who knows, we might just follow through and experience a small little “holiday” to tide us over until the holidays seem like a thing of the past.
7. Schedule time to enjoy a favorite hobby
It’s probably a rare treat to get to have the opportunity to do something that’s just for you and that you really love. Especially with the holidays engulfing your recent life, it’s probably a distant memory the last time you had some real time to do just that. I know for me I received a lot of new scrapbooking supplies for Christmas, so hopefully I can spend an hour, maybe an afternoon, and some of you can perhaps spend a day with your favorite activity in the near future. What a nice little retreat! I cannot wait!
8. Order in
And when I mean order in, I mean order in. Make whatever you do for a nice, easy, relaxing evening be just that—EASY! The movies (netflix is amazing!), food, friends, whatever it is, come to you. After a grueling past few months, you deserve a little time for your body to exert as little effort as possible at times.
9. Surround yourself in your favorite music
This one may be simple, but it’s amazing how your favorite sounds can soothe a soul. Drown yourself in music that makes you happy and lifts your spirits.
10. Set fun goals to achieve
This isn’t about setting serious resolutions for the year. What I suggest is to find something exciting to accomplish. Like, that stack of books you received for Christmas? Set them by your nightstand and dive in—daily! Or, want to go do something you haven’t done in a long time (see a play, go see your favorite team play basketball, go to a park to just to sit on a bench and listen to the birds chirp, whatever it is that you crave)? Try and devise a plan to make it happen.
This is a new year. The days zoom past. But, thankfully, each day has something different to celebrate and really, the holiday feeling never needs to be over. I see this particularly with a 15-month old son who brings new joys each moment he’s awake. But it’s a great way to live life, as well. I don’t know what he’s going to do without that Christmas tree and lights adoring our home, either. But, somehow, we’ll find a way, because, that’s what we do: find the joy in whatever surrounds us. May you have as much joy, health, and happiness in YOUR life in 2009!
Article written by Carrie Burns, © 2008 butyoudontlooksick.com