Overcoming Holiday and Year-End Fatigue

Are you feeling listless and overly tired now that the holidays are finished? If you are, you are not alone. Holiday fatigue is a real thing.

The festive period between Thanksgiving and the New Year is nothing, if not excessive. Shopping, parties, too much food and alcohol, late nights and early mornings all impact your energy levels.

On top of holiday fatigue, you may also be experiencing normal year-end fatigue. It’s not uncommon for people to feel more tired as the year draws to a close. In fact, if you are feeling overwhelmed, irritable, or burnt out, you may be suffering from the real phenomenon of year-end fatigue.

Whether you’re just feeling sluggish from a busy holiday season or you’re feeling burnt out because of year-end fatigue, there are steps you can take to get back on track.

The first step is to acknowledge what you are feeling. Naming your emotions diffuses their power and lessens the burden they create. Psychologist Dan Siegel refers to this practice as “name it to tame it.” Once you’ve named what you are feeling, there are some additional steps you can take to boost your energy and to overcome fatigue:

1. Know Your Limits

Listen to your body and find ways to relax and refresh. Listen to music, mediate, pray, read, practice deep breathing, enjoy quiet conversations with friends and family, and exercise.

2. Eat Healthy

Good nutrition is essential. A healthy diet can help you feel better and keep your body strong. Nutrient-dense foods will enhance your energy, your mood, and your overall well-being. Your brain and your energy levels are also strongly influenced by your hydration status. So, stay hydrated and drink water. Lots of water.

3. Frame a New Picture

Look ahead and envision all the possibilities a new year brings. Create a vision board or simply make a wish list. The positive thoughts you will have when looking at your vision board or wish list for the future will motivate you and help to boost your energy levels. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” So, dream big, beautiful dreams and keep believing! Your dreams will help you frame a new and better future.

4. Sleep

Don’t underestimate the power of sleep. Science has shown that in the absence of sleep, energy is not stored. A regular bedtime routine is critical to reset your internal sleep-wake clock. Good quality sleep enhances both your mood, your energy, and your productivity, so be sure to get plenty of z’s.

5. Go Outside

Getting out of your house and enjoying the great outdoors will raise your energy. Being outdoors will help you feel peaceful and calm and will improve your overall mood, plus sunlight produces vitamin D which is good for your immune system. Nature truly is magical and can have strong healing and health benefits. 

Holiday and year-end fatigue are very real, and there are lots of ways you can combat these common maladies. So, if your energy levels have sputtered and you’re feeling a bit lackluster, don’t stress. Just go outside, get some exercise,  eat well, get back into a good sleep routine, and envision a new year full of adventure. You’ll feel better and back to your old self in no time at all!

Here’s to a Happy New Year filled with new adventures and realized dreams!