BY EMILY HARWELL, Berkeley Prep

Feeling down because the winter hiatus is a thing of the past, you most likely had to come back to midterm exams, and there is that endless stretch of calendar before your spring break?

Take heart. You’re not alone, and there’s a reason for your blues, according to psychologist Wendy Rice. Dr. Rice of Rice Psychology Group in Tampa talked to tb-two* recently about why we feel the January slump and what we can do about it.

The main reason we feel unhappy after the holidays, she said, is because of the incredible amount of buildup to the holiday season, like the gift giving, cookie baking and traveling. We get another jolt of holiday joy during the New Year celebration, but after that it all comes to an end.

“That’s the peak, the culmination. (Afterward) there’s going to be a little bit of a letdown on the other side. That’s human nature,” Rice said.

It’s probably a good thing, though, that the holiday spirit we feel doesn’t last forever, she said. If it did, we would be exhausted.

Fortunately, we have the power to make ourselves feel better before spring fever kicks in, she said. Rice recommends sprinkling your life with things you’re excited about and setting small goals. Achieving small victories can help replicate the holiday high. She also says that identifying your negative thoughts and attempting to correct them (especially if they are emotionally driven) can be helpful.

Sometimes negative feelings, especially before you get another break from the rigors of school and your routine, are severe enough that they could be a marker of clinical depression. In addition to affecting your own well-being, depression can make it hard for your friends and family to be around you, Rice said. If you feel that’s the case, it’s important to meet with a therapist or other professional who can help you.

If all else fails, just remember: Spring break will be here in March. Start crossing off the days. It’ll make you feel better.