Find calm post festivities

A fortnightly column about emotional well-being Once the festivities are over, you could feel overwhelmed, fatigued, even angry. Take a few days to decompress

- Sonali Gupta

Over the years, I have begun to notice that soon after the festive season celebrations, clients talk about feeling overwhelmed. This feeling can come from negative as well as positive events. "There is so much happening all at once in the festive season. This evokes a sense of helplessness but also of being overstimulated, staying alert to what's happening and socializing, which makes me exhausted and evokes anxiety," says a client in her late 30s.

As human beings we can be overwhelmed even when things seem to be going right. In my observation, this state lasts for about two or three weeks after celebrations and festivals. This can evoke feelings of confusion because we associate "overwhelm" only with negative or unpleasant events.

When there is a set routine or structure to our day, it allows us to feel settled and makes our day predictable. During festivals or weddings, this routine goes for a toss, whether it is disruption to our exercise, eating or sleep schedules or the extent of socializing. This disruption leaves us feeling unsettled and hyper-stimulated, contributing to our sense of overwhelm.