What can you do when you are Feeling Blah?

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When you feel blah. . . .
http://goodhealthinanutshell.com/2011/11/08/when-you-feel-blah-time-management-2-of-5-good-
health-in-a-nutshell/
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Post Christmas or Hannukah Blues, January blah, winter doldrums. Whatever you call it, it begins
after the holiday season when the weather is cold and the days are shorter and ends before
Spring.
Post holiday blues (PHB) is an expectation condition, not to be confused with the neurological
condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It originates from one of several situations:
· High expectations for the holiday that don't materialize
Paula says, "Every year I look forward to our family's get-together, telling myself Dad won't get
drunk this year and ruin everything. I create this fantasy, and then I am crushed when it doesn't
come true."
· No expectations for the holiday, but still disappointed
Tom says, "I hate Christmas. It's my wife's tradition to spend the day with her parents. Married ten
years, ten Christmases, and I still feel left out. Even though I start with absolutely no expectations
to enjoy the day, I'm still surprised how disappointed I am afterwards."
· Let down after a wonderful holiday
John says, "I love getting together with my family. It's like a warm and loving injection. Yet, for
about a week or two afterwards, I get depressed. It's taken me years to see the connection: a let-
down after that wonderful sense of belonging."
· Let down after the party is over
Martha says, "I spend six weeks planning, shopping, baking, and decorating. Then everyone
comes, has a great time, and goes home. I wash the dishes, store the decorations, and it's all
over. Such a let down."
Whether or not you enjoyed your holiday, it's over, and now there's a lull. You feel cranky, blah,
depressed, or just plain moody. PHB, especially if you don't like winter, is a reaction to that lull.
There are things you can do though to lessen the effects of PHB. By knowing the blues (or blahs)
are coming, you can take preventive steps. Here are some suggestions that may spark some of
your own.

2. If you've had a wonderful holiday, you can counter the let-down by finding ways to extend that
feeling of belonging and connection. You might start a mid-year reunion with your family or
arrange monthly get-togethers or telephone-get-togethers. Or, you might capture the special or
funny moments in a scrapbook.
If you've had a disappointing (or miserable) holiday, you might:
· Get involved in something you've been putting off, like building a shed or making new
curtains,
· Start something new, like volunteering at the animal shelter or getting active in your
neighborhood
· Plan your next vacation now, when you need to be thinking about a pleasant future
rather than brooding over an unpleasant past.
PHB Rescue Plan
If you can't pull yourself from your blues, you may first need a PHB Rescue Plan. For it to work,
though, you must follow these guidelines.
1. Give yourself permission to be blue rather than tell yourself to shake out of it.
2. Set aside 10 minutes when you can be in the dumps, mope around, and feel sorry for yourself.
You may be grumpy or weepy, so warn others to stay away during these few minutes. When you
feel blue at other moments, tell yourself to wait until your next 10 minute period. Schedule as
many periods each day as needed.
3. Have something planned for the end of your 10 minute period that will pull you into a different
frame of mind. It might be preparing dinner, calling your best friend, watching an engaging
television show, or even leaving for work. Planning what comes right after your moping will make it
easier to shift out of that mood.
Some people fear if they give into the blahs, they will feel worse. Not true, not if you know you
have a limited time and then you must get on with your everyday life. This Rescue Plan teaches
your body to respect the limits you set for yourself, so you can have your emotions but be in
control of them.
(This same plan can be used for other emotional situations, whether it be grieving a death or not
getting an anticipated award.)
The Rescue Plan should help, but if by mid-February, if you are still down, you might want to
consult a therapist. Sometimes the seasonal PHB passes, but in its wake it sets off other feelings
which extend the blues.
And, here's another tip: get your FREE copy of Rules To Enhance Your Friendships (another form

3. of support to get through this period) at http://www.DrKGL.com/bestfriends In addition, I also invite
to you to check out the next Unique Retreats for Women, at
http://www.UniqueRetreatsForWomen.com
Dr. Karen Gail Lewis, The Woman Who Helps Women And The People They Love, DrKGL.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Karen_Gail_Lewis
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When you feel blah. . . .
http://goodhealthinanutshell.com/2011/11/08/when-you-feel-blah-time-management-2-of-5-good-
health-in-a-nutshell/
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