After the excitement of the holidays, the return to normal can make even the jolliest of folks a little depressed. Fortunately, there are measures you can take to beat the blues, and they don’t need to cost you any money!
Stay social. The holidays are centered on social gatherings, such as parties, big meals and traveling to see family or friends. After the holidays, you may find yourself feeling lonely, but there’s no rule that says your social calendar needs to be empty after Jan. 1. Plan some free activities with friends and family, such as hiking, hosting a movie night, or visiting your local state park.
Get active. Physical activity is one of the best things you can do for yourself, especially when you are feeling down. When we exercise our bodies release endorphins, which are natural chemicals in the brain that help trigger a positive mood. You don’t need to pay for a gym membership or an expensive exercise machine. Get outside for a quick run or walk, stretch or do yoga in your living room, or try an aerobics class on YouTube for free!
Focus on realistic resolutions. New Year’s resolutions give us something to focus on after the holiday parties are over. It’s great to have goals and something to look forward to, but be careful not to become too much of a perfectionist about achieving your resolutions. Unattainable goals only cause stress and feelings of failure. Instead, focus on realistic goals that you can actually work toward and feel good about. Click here to discover three New Year’s resolutions for your finances!
Look forward to the next big thing. Thanksgiving through New Year’s isn’t the only fun season on the calendar. After the holidays, there is still plenty to look forward to with excitement and optimism. Start planning your next vacation or what you want to do on spring break. You could even schedule a simple family outing, staycation or dinner party with friends to help refocus your thoughts.
TIP: When booking your travel plans, make sure to utilize your Benefits Plus® checking account with SeaComm for the best deals! Once you upgrade your basic checking to Benefits Plus®, you will gain access to a variety of travel savings, including hotel and condo discounts, car rentals, flights, entertainment offers, and much more. Click here for more information, or stop by your local SeaComm branch to enroll.
For complete information, terms, conditions and exclusions please visit www.benefits-plus.org or call 866-329-7587.