Forget Sunday Scaries: Why ‘New Year Blues’ Are So Brutal

I get pretty severe Sunday scaries, or the creeping sense of dread that happens as the weekend comes to an end. 

So perhaps it’s no wonder that, as Christmas ends and 2026 draws ever nearer, I’m feeling more on edge than usual. After all, it’s not unlike the end of a very extended, food-filled weekend.

I find myself flitting between purposeless melancholia, overwhelm at my expectations of the year ahead, and a sense that the new year acts as a sort of annual report I’ve miserably failed.

Not exactly good for small talk over festive canapés, is it? But according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, I’m not alone; 64% of us suffer from “post-holiday blues”.

What are the symptoms of post-holiday blues?. 

Per BetterHelp, symptoms can include sadness, apathy, a sense of emptiness, restlessness, irritability, frustration, stress, and a sense of loneliness.

Those with “post-holiday blues” might also experience muscle tension, aches, or pains, along with changes in appetite or sleeping habits. 

And the condition might make it harder to concentrate, too. 

Why do post-holiday blues happen? 

The Conversation said that, since dopamine levels rise during the festive season, we could face a kind of neural hangover once they return to normal levels. 

And bonding chemical oxytocin similarly rises, then dips, as we grow close to and then distance ourselves from loved ones. (People matter, too – time spent with in-laws seems statistically more stressful).

Then, there are the psychological elements to consider. Financial challenges after Christmas, returning to work or school after time away, grief, and family conflicts can become more evident as the flurry of Christmas fades away. 

Plus, our sleep, eating, and exercise routines often go way out of whack over the holidays. 

None of which is to mention the anxiety commonly linked to New Year pressure…