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How to Navigate Holiday Emotional Hangovers
That weird week between the holidays and New Year's hits different. You've survived the holiday chaos, the family dynamics, the endless to-do lists, and now you're supposed to just... exist?
Enter: the emotional hangover.
In this episode, we break down why that post-holiday crash feels so brutal and what actually helps when you're running on empty.
What We Cover:
- Why 80-90% of adults report increased stress during the holidays (and why the crash afterwards is inevitable)
- The real reason that week between Christmas and New Year's feels like floating through space
- How family dynamics amplify emotional exhaustion (hello, suddenly being 12 years old again)
- Five practical ways to take care of yourself when you're emotionally hungover
- Why grief shows up in unexpected ways during this season
- How to honor your actual capacity instead of pushing through
Key Takeaways: Research shows more than half of adults need weeks to feel regulated after the holidays. If you're crashed on the couch questioning everything, you're recovering. That's what your nervous system is supposed to do.
Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!
Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.
Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw
Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcsw
Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy
This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.
The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.
View all episodes
By Sarah HerstichThat weird week between the holidays and New Year's hits different. You've survived the holiday chaos, the family dynamics, the endless to-do lists, and now you're supposed to just... exist?
Enter: the emotional hangover.
In this episode, we break down why that post-holiday crash feels so brutal and what actually helps when you're running on empty.
What We Cover:
- Why 80-90% of adults report increased stress during the holidays (and why the crash afterwards is inevitable)
- The real reason that week between Christmas and New Year's feels like floating through space
- How family dynamics amplify emotional exhaustion (hello, suddenly being 12 years old again)
- Five practical ways to take care of yourself when you're emotionally hungover
- Why grief shows up in unexpected ways during this season
- How to honor your actual capacity instead of pushing through
Key Takeaways: Research shows more than half of adults need weeks to feel regulated after the holidays. If you're crashed on the couch questioning everything, you're recovering. That's what your nervous system is supposed to do.
Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!
Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.
Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw
Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcsw
Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy
This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.
The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.