After spending a wonderful holiday over the New Year period, some people feel blue and find that it's difficult to function normally in their daily rhythm. As defined by the DSM IV, holiday blues, holiday depression, or post-New Year blues, these commonly used terms depict the mental distress occurring after the winter holidays and festival season.

    Below are some suggested steps to get rid of your post winter festive season holiday blues.

    Step 1 Take extra time
   When planning your trip, set aside a day at the end of your vacation to decompress at home and prepare for your return to work. If possible, arrange for your first two days back to be half days to ease back into the workday.

    Step 2 Start prepping before you leave
    In the days leading up to your vacation remind others that you'll be out, and tie up loose ends that will distract you or eat up time when you come back.

   Step 3 Readjust your sleep cycle
   Go to bed and wake up early a day or two before returning to work to readjust your sleep cycle.
   Step 4 Go through your e-mails
   Spend an hour going through your e-mail and thinning out your inbox the day before you come back to work.
   Ask for an update on special projects the day before you return so can hit the ground running.

   Step 5 Show up early
   Show up early the first day back to prioritize your to-do list without the distraction of curious co-workers asking about your trip.
   Take your boss out to lunch on your first day back to catch up and discuss work matters one-on-one.

   Step 6 Bring your vacay back with you
   Keep a few pictures with you at work as a reminder of how great your vacation was. Last but not least, start planning the next trip so you've always got something to look forward to!