Rhianna Benson
The rush of Christmas is over, a brand new year has begun, and life is finally looking back to normal again.
But for some reason, you just can't seem to shake this overwhelming feeling of unease and uncertainty. If that describes how you're feeling on this New Year's weekend, then worry not, you're most definitely not alone.
In fact, millions of people around the world complain that the first week of January is arguably the most daunting of the year.
In fact, a study recently carried out by Sydea Medical Centre (SMC), led by Venice Sanchez, MD, found that 64 per cent of people came forward with feelings of emotional distress following the conclusion of the holiday season - a significant majority.
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It isn't just nervousness that people tend to report at this time of year, however, but a general feeling of sadness.
This feeling is usually accompanied by internal and existential questions such as 'Will this year be better than the last?', 'How will I make my early December pay last until the end of January?', and 'What if I fail at my New Year's resolutions?'.
Again, don't worry, because apparently these concerns are completely normal and common. In fact, they're so common that they're often referred to among medics as 'post-holiday blues'.
This lighthearted terminology isn't meant to downplay the seriousness of the malaise; rather, it's meant to emphasise exactly how typical and ordinary these feelings are at this time of year.
Offering an explanation for them, a psychologist from SMC said: "After New Year’s Day is over, you might be feeling sad and overwhelmed and have other symptoms such as diminished energy, reduced ability to concentrate, and disturbed sleep patterns.
"It might also feel really difficult and overwhelming to start up your normal routine since the holidays gave you a break from that structure."
As for what can sometimes cause these feelings of sadness, SMC said it can 'all stem from things that happen during the holidays such as lack of sleep, high alcohol consumption, financial stress, overeating, and general busyness'.
So if you're feeling a little sluggish and slow, don't let it get the better of you. Chances are, you're just experiencing the same set of sensations as most other people this time of year.
But hey - little by little, the days are getting longer and warmer and brighter.
Until then, doctors recommend combating the post-holiday blues by getting plenty of sleep, staying on top of your hydration, keeping the body moving, taking on activities you enjoy, sticking to a routine and connecting with healthy relationships.