For many people, the run-up to Christmas is filled with excitement and anticipation. For others, it can quietly tip into something more difficult. A drop in mood is particularly common after Christmas, especially in the final week of the year and the first days of the new one. Understanding why this happens can help make that emotional dip easier to manage.

The post-Christmas blues are closely linked to the brain’s reward system. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that allow brain cells to communicate with each other and play a key role in how we feel, think and behave. One of the most important of these is dopamine, which helps regulate motivation, pleasure and reward, and is often targeted by antidepressants.

During the festive period, dopamine levels tend to rise. Anticipation of celebration, time spent with others, indulgent food and festive rituals all stimulate this feel-good system. Compared with everyday life, the brain experiences a powerful boost. Even thinking about Christmas before it arrives can activate these pathways, creating a surge of sensory excitement.

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Once Christmas is over, dopamine levels naturally fall back to their usual baseline. This........

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