From The Province.com: The change in routine over the holidays causes hangover-like effects when people return to work, says psychologist Joti Samra.
Need a holiday after your Christmas holidays?
With Monday morning looming, you may be experiencing a holiday hangover — even if you’re not struggling with the effects of alcohol over-consumption.
While not a clinical term, it’s likely many people will experience fatigue and reduced ability to concentrate in the coming week, explained Simon Fraser University adjunct professor Joti Samra.
The psychologist said the hangover-like symptoms are caused by the alteration of normal routines over the holidays: “People aren’t working, so they’re not going to bed at their normal time. They may be eating more unhealthy food, drinking more, and they’re doing more socializing.”
It can all lead to a rough first week back to the daily routines of work and school.
Not unlike jet lag, altering your sleep habits — such as getting up early for work after a week of sleeping in — can cause weariness for several days. The doctor advised getting back into routine as soon as possible.
Get organized before Monday morning arrives, she said.
“Start setting your alarm on the weekend, and get up and go to bed earlier.”
In the coming week, “curb some of your social commitments.”
Eating healthy food and exercising are also key to feeling better as the week goes on.
“For most people, it will take the better part of the week to get settled,” she said. “But they’ll get there.”
While there may be a price to pay for the all the seasonal merrymaking, Samra said most people would agree it’s worth it.
That’s certainly the case for the Fletcher family of Surrey. Known for the thousands of Christmas lights they put up each year, the days after Christmas are absorbed with taking them all down again.
“It’s a lot of work, that’s for sure,” said Ken Fletcher. “But the smiles on the kids’ faces — even the adults — that’s why we do it.”
The family begins their setup at the end of November and was busy taking it down this weekend. The lights, which have accumulated over 19 years, will be stored in three sheds built specifically for that purpose.
This year, the Fletchers handed out more than 1,000 candy canes to their youngest visitors (not counting older kids and parents), while collecting donations for the Surrey Food Bank.
On Monday, everything should be back to normal, except a stack of broken decorations that will keep them busy with repairs until next Christmas.
For South Surrey realtor Neil Higgins, the holidays are a combination of work and festivities.
“I don’t really take a long break,” he said.
His house has been a destination on many family Christmas light tours for about nine years with a collection of inflatable characters on the front lawn.
For the realtor, a busy holiday season meant a successful one, with several deals closing around Christmas. The new year also promises to be busy, with little time for the novel idea of a holiday after the holidays.
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