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Getting rid of post-holiday blues is possible, letting our happy memories linger on.The good feelings we are left with after celebrations do not have to end when we are thrust back into our regular routines.

January 2009 arrived after being heralded in with the exuberant gusto of friends and family. You barely had a minute to yourself amidst all the frenzied activities of shopping, cooking and entertaining. Now everyone has left, the house is quiet, the snow is falling and life is back to its usual pace.

If you are feeling blue there is no need to feel embarrassed or anxious about it. There's nothing wrong with feeling a bit down in the dumps or teary after a wonderful time of celebration . You are probably not alone in feeling the post holiday let-down.. Share your thoughts with family and friends and you will find out they are having the same post-holiday blues. Once you have verbalised how you are feeling there are things you can do to alleviate your sadness.

1. Make a list of movies you want to see, walks you'd like to take and art galleries that have been languishing on your to -do list. In other words, keep moving. Don't let the post-holiday blues make you inactive.

2. Put on your warmest coat and cuddliest scarf and step outside for fresh air. Convince others to join you in building a snowman or making snow angels. Well, even have a minor skirmish called a snowball fight. It's better to breathe refreshing air than to stand in your shabby at-home sweater staring gloomily out the front window.

3. Have an afternoon tidying your home with your family where everyone tackles a room and discards ribbon, wrapping paper, boxes, tinsel and twine. Remember to recycle. Once the house is back to how it usually is you will feel better about being in your usual surroundings. Load up wine bottles and other holiday paraphernalia for recycling, sweep floors , wipe table tops and wash the towels and linens from guests. Put on your favorite music while you are doing this and sing loudly. Signing while whisking through your home will break through your post - holiday blues.

4. Look at a 2009 calendar and see what you have to look forward to. It could be anything. Your birthday, a wedding in the family, a visit to another city, a summer vacation, a class you signed up for or a special date with a special person during the month of January. There is bound to be something written on that calendar that will bring a smile to your face.

5. Take an hour to upload all the photos from your digital camera to a computer so that you can look at them and send them on to family and friends. Share the good times. The memories are your's forever.

6. Phone a friend you haven't spoken to in a while and catch up on your lives. We often lose touch with people so this is a perfect chance to dispel the blues by communicating with someone you miss and value. Stepping outside your sad zone will be easier than you think once a rousing conversation is started.

7. Did you want to volunteer in 2009 ? Look at which organisations in your city interest you and that need your help. Committing to a couple of hours a week once January gets into full swing will give you another focus and purpose. Most organizations can fit in with your work and family schedules.

There are many ways to get rid of post-holiday blues but the best way is to keep moving and to think ahead of everything that will bring you happiness in a brand new year.

Learn more about this author, Lisa Kates.
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