Planning, cooking, cleaning, spending, decorating and sharing with loved-ones – being engulfed in the hoopla of the holidays gives an adrenalin rush like no other. But once the presents are opened and the decorations are neatly tucked away, you feel like a balloon that’s just been deflated.

Being down in the dumps after the festive season is not uncommon. The combination of overspending, mounting debt, loved-ones departing, unrealistic expectations, and a loss of enjoyment can leave you feeling sad and stressed. There’s no need to cave in to these feelings, you can battle post-holiday blues with these tips.

Pamper yourself

For the past couple of months, it’s been all about friends and family. Now it’s time to shift your focus and do something special for yourself. If you received gift cards over the holidays, now is a good time to use them. Maybe you can try out a new scent, buy a handbag, get a pedicure or stock up on some aromatherapy candles.

If you don’t feel like hitting the mall to cash in your gift cards, you can simply run yourself a hot bubble bath, listen to some relaxing music and soak your cares away.

Get Physically Active

If you’re feeling a little blue, exercising is the perfect way to combat this emotion. Hop on a treadmill, jog around the block, or pedal like mad on your exercise bike. Rigorous exercise releases endorphins that help boost your mood and relieve stress. Exercise can also clear your mind and rid you of any angry feelings you might have after the holidays.

Get Busy and Stay Busy

Start on a new project to keep from dwelling on the feeling of being letdown. At work, you can redecorate the bulletin boards in your classroom or freshen up those theme boxes.  At home, you might change the color of your bedroom or bathroom walls. You can also take some courses to help improve your personal or work life.

Gather Memories

Get those festive images out of your camera, organize them, and put them in a scrapbook. Looking back on the fun times you shared with friends and family during the holidays will lift your spirits and help you look forward to the good times ahead.

Pampering yourself, exercising, staying busy and looking back on fun times can help you combat post-holiday blues. If your feelings of sadness are persistent and you feel as if you’re being consumed by them, contact a medical professional to make sure you’re not suffering from something more serious.