From Holiday Bliss To Academic Pressure
Christmas is over. Chaos has vanished. New Year has begun, so it’s time to return to college after the Christmas break. But you know what has yet to disappear? Post-holiday blues. You are visibly deflating like a balloon at the thought of returning to college. Perhaps you are excited to get back, and maybe you are not. Whatever it may be, nothing beats post-holiday blues and anxiety. The first week after Christmas break can be overwhelming. Saying goodbye to the holiday season is the least favourite thing to do. Returning to college after a much-needed break, luxuriating in your bed, surrounded by loved ones and Christmas chaos, and immediately hopping back to college after Christmas holidays feel stress-inducing.
Why Do Students Feel Stress and Anxiety After Christmas Break
Everyone finds it hard to say goodbye to the most wonderful time of the year. Returning to college after the Christmas holidays feels like the chill hitting you when someone snatches your blanket. Here are some reasons why you feel anxious after the Christmas break:-
- Disrupted Routine
Whether from the busyness or the excitement of the holidays, this disruption in routine can increase your anxiety. There is a lack of sleep, international students feel jet-lagged, and they have irregular eating patterns. Going back to the regular college routine sounds even more daunting on top of this irregular routine, which takes anxiety up a notch.Â
- Energy Levels
During Christmas, your energy levels are gone for a toss. You suddenly go from a fast-paced semester end to a slow-paced Christmas mode. Then suddenly, you are thrown into the whirlwind of celebrations, outings and traditions, and just as you find your peace, it’s time to return to college gloom. That is why you experience anxiety and stress and easily fall into a slum after the Christmas break.Â
- Unrealistic Expectations
While many families celebrate Christmas in full swing with lavish meals and gifts, not every student experiences the season the same way. Many students see advertisements of happy families celebrating Christmas and are obligated to have a similar celebration, only to get disappointed when it doesn’t meet their expectations. This causes anxiety, stress and sadness over not spending Christmas the way they expected.Â
10 Ways Students Can Manage And Reduce Anxiety Post-Christmas Break
Here are ten tips for students to reduce anxiety after the Christmas break:-
- Acknowledge Your Feelings
Christmas is a wave of anticipation, excitement, joy, happiness, and warmth for loved ones. Once Christmas is over, you feel highly anxious about losing these feelings. Acknowledge that you feel sad and nervous after the Christmas break.Â
- Establish a routine
Establishing a routine before returning to college can help lessen anxiety. We know it takes work to follow your usual routine. But build a new routine where you prioritise your physical and mental health first.Â
- Practice self-care and de-stressing
De-stressing and self-care are a must after you return from holiday. The endless holiday activities and traditions may have worn you out, but self-care is essential before returning to the demanding routine. Take mindful rest and sleep when your body says so. Engage in activities like meditating, walking, yoga, or simply breathing slowly to allow your mind and body to relax gradually.Â
- Organise and Prioritise
Anxiety can also be caused by focusing on immediate problems that lie ahead. Instead, try to organise your tasks and activities to lessen anxiety. This way, you can take control of the future and complete it on your timeline without driving yourself over the edge.Â
- Create a new study schedule.
Creating a new study schedule will help lessen anxiety. If you are overwhelmed with the latest academic goals and responsibilities, creating a new study schedule would help. With a new study schedule, you decide when you will sit down to study and complete assignments and breaks in between. This eases academic stress, and you can complete and prepare for academics at your own pace without feeling overwhelmed.Â
- Start small
It’s always advisable to start with small, attainable goals. Starting on heavier, more challenging tasks is bound to increase your stress and anxiety. Avoid this by setting small tasks and goals and gradually taking on more difficult tasks to ease your body and brain into a neutral state.Â
- Connect With Friends and Peers
Anxiety often causes us to isolate ourselves from any social interactions, which might intensify the feeling even more. Instead, go out with your friends and connect with them and alleviate anxiety.Â
- Exercise and Stay Healthy
While you feel like you may not have enough time to work out, exercising can help alleviate anxiety. Simple stretches, such as runs or walks in the park, reduce any anxiety and stress caused after the Christmas break. Eating healthy food and sleeping on time can also do wonders to improve anxiety.Â
- Focus on What’s Ahead
It’s like a magnetic pull to reflect on the holiday moments and feel sombre. While it’s nice to look back once you return from holiday, it aggravates your anxiety even more. Instead, focus on your New Year resolutions and aspirations and create a positive outlook to help change your internal monologue. You can embrace this transition with flexibility and move forward with opportunities and memories you now make ahead.Â
- Seek Help and SupportÂ
Sometimes, overcoming and managing stress alone is challenging, and silence is never the answer. If you find that you cannot relieve your stress or you are overwhelmed with anxiety, try talking to a professional or a counsellor. Your campus will have trained counselling services who will listen to and support you through the journey. Never be afraid to ask for help when you need it the most.Â
All of the above tips to manage and reduce anxiety will vary from student to student. Some students may experience an acute amount of anxiety while others may experience more, and everyone overcomes this at their own pace. There is no rush.Â
How Assignment Help Services Ease Post-Holiday Stress
As mentioned earlier, every student battles with anxiety on a varied spectrum. Students who can’t manage their assignments and have post-Christmas break anxiety often feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. But that is not the case; post-holiday offers on assignments help you alleviate anxiety and stress and regain your footing in college.Â
Assignment World is offering Christmas break discounts on assignment help. You can enjoy a 40% discount on all assignments starting December 25 to January 2. It is one of the best holiday offers on assignment help.Â
An Anxiety-Free Start
Experiencing anxiety after Christmas break is inevitable. Even though the Christmas season is supposed to restore and make you feel good, the aftermath can sometimes be hauntingly sad. With these ten ways to reduce anxiety, you can gradually shake off the post-holiday blues and gain your footing again. If all else fails and you feel overwhelmed and stressed, remember to take it one day at a time.Â
In the movie Inside Out 2, anxiety says, “My job is to protect her from the scary stuff.” Anxiety is just protecting you from potential future challenges. Remember to acknowledge your feelings, and with these ten ways, you can manage and reduce anxiety and keep it in check after the Christmas break.
Rest assured, if you are unable to complete assignments on time, post-holiday offers on assignment help are always available. Seek these Christmas break discounts on assignment help for a stress-free and recovery Christmas break. Â