Holidays are a time of joy, hangouts and celebrations but for new international students it can be holiday blues as they might feel lonely, homesick or stressed. Mental health and concern about budget can also make it harder for students to enjoy the holidays.
The pressure to be cheerful, constant social expectations, and memories of past holidays can all make this time of year feel heavier than expected. That’s why understanding and addressing the holiday blues is important because this is the work of letting yourself be seen and known for who you really are. It also gives you courage and determination to manage these feelings and become stronger.
In this article, we’ll explore seven simple and practical tips to help you cope with the holiday blues. 
Simple tips to beat the holiday blues
The holiday blues can affect anyone. Those with a mental illness, those who are constantly monitoring their thoughts, questioning and analyzing their emotional responses, doubting their worth, calming anxiety and shaking off nightmares. Its essential for them to silently use techniques to keep themself present and enjoy holidays to the fullest.
Let’s look at the tips below to help maintain balance, reduce stress and find joy in the holidays.
1. Comfortable with otherness:
Comfortable with otherness means feeling at ease around people, ideas, or things that differ from your own. You handle strangeness without stress. However, there are many international students who deal with cultural differences, habits and laws of their host country which can be quite stressful and lead to anxiety if not handled well as it can make you feel like you don’t belong or you might feel uncomfortable in your new surroundings. One day you might get excited to explore the country and the next day, you might get irritated by everything around you and you just feel like you don’t belong. If you’re feeling “off” but can’t quite explain why, you might be going through it. In a more general recent survey by Value Penguin, 55% of Americans said they experience “holiday blues”, feelings of sadness or loneliness during the holiday season.
Being able to accept and feel comfortable with otherness helps you to feel more at home and makes your life and holidays more enjoyable as you connect with new people easily, understand their customs and you become more confident. Besides, when you are comfortable with otherness so your heart encourages you to try to understand other cultures as a result, you can go to festivals of different cultures, and visit new places such as a museum or religious places which will develop your interest in different cultures, you will also enjoy making friends from different cultures. Not only this, but you will get knowledge, you will get to discover so many new things and you will enjoy your holidays too. For example, you can plan your week so that one day you try new foods, another day you visit religious places, and another day you explore the entire area. This way, you can manage holiday blues very effectively.
2. Avoid alcohol and substance abuse:
Studying abroad brings exciting opportunities but this journey is marred by a unique set of hidden emotional struggles as international students face unique mental health pressures that differ significantly from those experienced by domestic students as moving across continents means leaving your family and friends behind, managing finances alone and dealing with depression as a result, students get involved in activities like drinking alcohol or other harmful substances.
Maybe students think that this is the way to cope with stress, loneliness, or social pressure. But they don’t know that these harmful substances have opposite effects. Instead, this is the number one way to intensify sadness and increase loneliness. And even when there is no stress, students get involved in these activities by watching the other students or friends especially during the holidays and celebrations. For example, today, a very harmful substance is very common which is used like a chewing gum by students in every problem, but they do not know that it contains nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance that affects the brain, increases mental stress and mood changes over time which further disrupts life. According to a study by Pods / e‑cigarettes, often contain nicotine, which is addictive and especially harmful for developing brains (youth), affecting attention, learning, mood and impulse control.
Staying away from them helps to maintain mental clarity, stable mood and better energy which makes it easier to enjoy holidays and connect with others. Its important for students to learn to say no to peer pressure and find positive ways to cope with stress, like exercising, pursuing hobbies, or practicing mindfulness. Some research suggests that quitting nicotine also improves positive mood and overall mental well‑being, sometimes with effects comparable to those of antidepressants or anxiety treatments.
3. Spend time in quiet reflection or prayer:
Being far away from home in a new academic and social environment can affect international students in different ways especially in holidays, that’s why it’s important for students to know what support systems are available and how they can cope with holiday blues.
Prayer or spiritual practices provide comfort, a sense of purpose and emotional stability especially for students who are far from home and usual support networks. So instead of crying for not having close friends or how to spend the holidays alone, you can connect with God because you have no idea that the peace you get by connecting with God is not found in parties, you do not even realize it and your mind starts becoming so calm, you start feeling happy and you get inner peace.
For this, you can go to religious places whether its temples, mosques, churches or meditation centres which will help to regulate emotions and gain clarity. And if you don’t want to go outside, so take out a few minutes each day for praying which will allow you to slow down and notice what truly matters rather than getting caught up in social pressures and comparisons. It is especially valuable during a holiday season that is overwhelming.
4. Do something for others:
Helping others is a great mood lifter as it helps to lift your mood to feel like you’re doing something purposeful, something that makes others feel happy. Doing something for others doesn’t only help them but it actually helps you too. When you help someone, even through a small act like giving food to someone in need or making cards for your friends, seeing their happiness makes you feel happy as well. In this way, you can spend your holidays doing things for others, and it will bring joy to your own life too.
There are countless ways to do something for others during this season like volunteering to deliver meals to the hungry, sing for people in a nursing home, or visit lonely neighbors. If your friends seem very blue, you should check in with them to see what’s going on. It helps to be open to listening to our loved ones share their sorrows or stressors, too, so that they don’t have to hold that burden alone. You can also volunteer at school festivals, sports or events which will help to reduce stress and improve mood. For this, you can call places such as local schools, museums, or sports grounds to inquire about volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood. In a survey from a UK volunteer-experience study, 77% of volunteers reported that volunteering improved their mental health and well-being; 93% said it gave them “enjoyment,” and nearly 90% said they “met new people.”
5. Set realistic expectations:
Unrealistic expectations are a biggest contributing factor to the holiday blues. This happens when you expect yourself to feel happy 24/7, or believing that the holidays will magically fix all emotional struggles which is also known as delusion and when reality turns out different so it leads to disappointment, stress and sadness that’s why it’s important to set realistic expectations.
There are many reasons why the holiday season may not go as planned. Maybe because of financial stress, family conflicts or traditions may not feel the same as previous years in your home country. So be realistic about your plans, emotions, budget and time as it will help you to feel less frustrated or upset when things don’t go perfectly. Studies show that people who practice realistic thinking experience lower anxiety, greater life satisfaction, and better coping skills. It’s important to remember that others feel this way, too, and to offer yourself kindness.
Conclusion:
The holidays can be stressful. Social events, new clothes, debt and other pressures can lead to anxiety and depression. Not having close friends can also contribute. It’s important for you to enjoy it yourself and focus on what makes you happy whether its doing something for others, spending time in prayers or visiting new places and it’s even more important to stay grounded in reality rather than having unrealistic expectations.
It can be hard to stay positive when life is hard and you’re struggling with mental health issues in your holidays but remember, it’s not always about having a perfect holiday but it’s about creating moments that bring you joy, connection and peace. Don’t allow yourself to stay in a negative mindset and focus on what truly matters.
If you want more tips and support:
•Check out [Top 8 Resources for Emotional Support for International Students] to find help when you feel overwhelmed.
•Read [Small Steps to Feel Connected in a New Country] for practical ways to build friendships and feel at home while studying abroad.