How to beat the festive blues and ease back into routine life

Feeling low or unmotivated after the festive season? Therapists explain why post-festive blues happen and how small routines can help you reset and recharge. (Image: Pexels)

After weeks of excitement, non-stop social plans, and glittering celebrations, it’s natural to feel a dip once the festive season winds down. One minute you’re surrounded by friends, lights, and laughter — and the next, you’re back to your daily routine, staring at an overflowing inbox or an empty weekend calendar. That sudden shift from chaos to calm can feel disorienting, leaving many young people feeling strangely low or unmotivated.

After weeks of activity, socialising, and celebration, it’s natural for the energy to dip once the festivities end. Much like the post-holiday slump that many experience after a vacation, the return to everyday life can bring a sense of emptiness or low motivation. Deepti Chandy, Therapist and COO at Anna Chandy & Associates, mentions, “Festive blues refer to the feelings of low mood or overwhelm that some people experience during the festive season. This can happen when you’re unable to celebrate with people you care about, or when there’s pressure to meet certain social or cultural expectations around how you should celebrate. For some, the festive period can also bring up memories of loss or loneliness, which makes the season emotionally heavy instead of joyful.”

So, what can you do when the sparkle fades and the silence feels too loud? Here are some doable ways to handle the post-festive blues and reset your mind for the weeks ahead.

When the holidays end, the first thing to slip is structure. Late nights, irregular meals, and constant socialising throw our systems off balance. Chandy advises, “Some healthy ways to cope include maintaining small routines and personal anchors that keep you grounded — whether that’s exercise, journaling, or simply setting aside quiet time for yourself. Having these stabilising practices both during and after the festive season can help balance the highs and lows more effectively.”

After days of social media updates, party pictures, and never-ending WhatsApp groups, it’s important to give your mind some breathing space. Spend an evening offline. Watch a comforting movie, listen to music, or cook a meal from scratch. Start by reinstating one or two simple habits that make you feel grounded for example a morning walk, reading before bed, or even planning your meals for the week. These small acts of normalcy signal to your brain that life is back on track.

A simple way to reset emotionally is to start with your surroundings. Put away festive décor, clean your space, and reorganise your wardrobe. The act of decluttering can feel symbolic as though you’re clearing out the mental clutter too.

You don’t have to withdraw completely just because the festivities are over. Reach out to a friend for a coffee or a quiet walk instead of another loud night out. Meaningful one-on-one connections can be far more restorative than big gatherings.

Having a small event or goal on the horizon like a weekend trip, hobby class, or brunch with friends as it can help ease the post-festive lull. The key is to keep it simple and joy-driven, not another “to-do.” Give yourself permission to slow down, breathe, and recharge.

A: It’s natural to feel a dip after weeks of excitement and socialising. The sudden shift from chaos to calm can be disorienting, leading to feelings of low mood or lack of motivation.

A: Rebuild small routines, detox from overstimulation, do a gentle declutter, stay connected selectively, and plan something small to look forward to.

A: Yes, festive blues can occur due to inability to celebrate with loved ones, pressure to meet social expectations, or memories of loss or loneliness.

A: Maintaining small routines like exercise, journaling, or quiet time can keep you grounded and help balance the highs and lows effectively.