Newtown City Lifestyle asked co-owners/managing directors and licensed clinical psychologists of Newtown Therapy and Wellness Center about two, major mental health issues that typically hit many people with confusion, lack of clarity and remorse during January, the first month of each year. They had truly heartfelt advice to share.
Kathryn Shipley, Ph.D.
Easing January Blues
"After the holidays, many people feel an emotional dip, a mix of quiet after the bustle, shorter days and the return to routine. We often call it the 'January Blues,' but it’s worth remembering that melancholy itself isn’t the enemy. Sometimes, allowing sadness or stillness in, without judgment, is what lets it pass.
When we fight these feelings, we often feed them energy. But when we soften around them, they tend to shift on their own. Rather than trying to 'beat' the blues, try leaning into what this time of year naturally offers: slower rhythms, more rest and small comforts. Wrap up in a warm blanket. Light a candle or a fire. Make your favorite cup of tea and reach for a good book.
Winter invites reflection, not constant productivity. Let it be a season of gentleness, where you give yourself permission to do a little less and feel a little more. Emotional balance isn’t about constant happiness; it’s about allowing your full range of feelings and trusting that they ebb and flow, just like the seasons."
Stacy Hunt, Ph.D.
Rethinking Resolutions
"January often arrives with pressure; a new year, a clean slate, a list of resolutions. But for many people, winter is not the season of boundless motivation that our culture insists it should be. Shorter days, colder weather and our bodies’ natural tendency to conserve energy make January an odd time to demand transformation.
There’s wisdom in recognizing that we’re cyclical beings. Just as nature slows in winter, we, too, are meant to rest and restore. Spring, with its longer light and sense of renewal, is often a more natural time for change to take root. So rather than forcing major resolutions in January, consider what can simply be paused or prepared. What seeds can you plant now that you’ll nurture when energy returns in the spring?
If you do set goals this time of year, keep them small and compassionate. 'Move my body' might mean stretching each morning instead of joining a new gym. And when you inevitably miss a day, remember that consistency grows from kindness, not criticism.
Resolutions aren’t a test of willpower; they’re an opportunity to listen to yourself. Sometimes the healthiest fresh start”is a slower one, guided by the same rhythms that help all living things rest before they grow."
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Post-holiday blues are temporary feelings of sadness or low mood, characterized by emotions such as irritability, anxiety, a sense of loss and difficulty returning to normal routines. To cope, focus on easing back into routines gradually and maintaining some positive habits, such as staying active or connecting with loved ones.