5 ways to avoid the holiday blues

Ever returned from a holiday, only to find yourself slipping into a chasm of negativity? Just a few days ago you were sun kissed and sky high, but soon after returning you start to feel the holiday blues creep up. If this sounds all too familiar, it could be time for you to make a few lifestyle changes. Yes, holidays are a treat. But you don’t have to rely on them to lift your mood. With just a few tweaks, you can make ‘holiday’ your default mood and make the most of every day.

How? Read on for five easy ideas that will have you feeling like you’re on holiday, every day of the year.

Treat yourself

One of the best things about being on holiday is that ‘treat yourself’ mentality that you indulge. Fancy a dessert? Feel like sleeping in? Want to dress up in your favourite heels, or order a second cocktail? Why not? You’re on holidays! Unsurprisingly, it’s this readiness to treat yourself that makes holidays so enjoyable. So, rather than continually resist things that bring you happiness, try embracing them as a part of everyday life. You don’t have to go overboard, but letting yourself enjoy a dessert once a week could lift your mood, and trigger that elusive sense of holiday bliss.

Shift your mindset

Everyday life can be stressful, and it’s all too easy to get caught up in errands, chores, work, relationships and more. Most people go on holiday to relax, and leave behind the stress of everyday life. This is great, but it doesn’t mean you can’t slip into ‘holiday’ mode every day of the year. Say someone cuts you off as you pull into the Countdown car park. If this happened on holiday, you’d probably laugh and let it go. But in an everyday context, you might let it ruin your day. The trick is to simply be aware of your emotions, and choose to react in holiday mode.

Go Green

If you prefer wide open spaces over traffic-choked cities, you’ll probably understand the healing power of nature. From sun-kissed beaches and lush jungles to snow-capped mountains and Californian vineyards, nature often plays a central role in dreamy holidays. And this is no coincidence. Immersing yourself in nature has both emotional and physical benefits, with one study finding that people who moved to cities with more green spaces enjoyed an instant boost in mental health, while their concrete counterparts experienced more depression, stress and anxiety. The good news is you don’t have to go on holidays to reap the benefits of Mother Nature. Try to take a walk every day, or plant a kitchen herb garden. Why not place a few indoor plants around your house, or take up gardening? There are so many ways to reconnect with nature, so get out there and explore what brings you joy.

Celebrate Daily

Who says celebrations are just for special occasions? Keep your life upbeat and energised by celebrating whenever you feel like it. Why not have tacos and margaritas on a Tuesday, cook up an Irish feast on St Patrick’s Day or invite your family around for a spontaneous dinner on National Sibling Day? Wondering what to celebrate? Check out the National Day Calendar website for never-ending inspiration.

Try new things

We’ve all heard the saying “when in Rome” and as far as we’re concerned, this is something that should be taken to heart. Seeing new things, embracing new flavours and diving head first into new experiences are all things that make holidays so darn enjoyable. Unfortunately, ‘real life’ isn’t quite the same, and can often seem dull simply because excitement and ‘newness’ aren’t the norm. Turns out, this is all in your head. Psychologists call this trend hedonic adaptation, which describes the idea of becoming accustomed to both positive and negative changes over time. This explains why things like a new job, relationship or pair of shoes can bring on that feeling of elation. By making an active effort to chase ‘newness’ in your day to day life, you can harness this feeling far more often.

Do you have a secret tip on how to make the most of every day, and stop waiting for holidays to do the things you love? We’d love to hear from you, so go ahead and leave us a comment in the section below!