Why socialising can leave you feeling blue and how to fix it

THINK about the last time you felt truly happy.

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

DISCOVER the science behind it and learn practical strategies to regain your spark and find joy in everyday moments.

(Pexels)

Not a polite smile. Not a “this is nice” moment. But a full-body kind of joy, the kind that feels sun-drenched and effervescent, where laughter spills out easily and time softens around you.Now think about how you felt when it ended.

That quiet, hollow feeling that creeps in afterwards, the heaviness, the wistful ache has a name. Psychologists call it a post-event low, but in everyday language, it’s often described as a “happiness hangover”.

And during the festive season, it shows up with surprising intensity.

December and early January are drenched in anticipation. We plan trips, curate outfits, book tables, host dinners, and reconnect with old friends. Our calendars fill up, our phones buzz and our dopamine rises.

Then, suddenly, it’s over. The house is quiet. The group chats slow down. Life returns to routine, but your nervous system hasn’t caught up yet.

Let’s unpack this wistful post-social slump, explore the science behind it, and, most importantly, figure out how to reignite your spark.

According to Dr Guy Winch, a psychologist and author of Emotional First Aid, “we derive a lot of happiness from the buildup to an event. When it’s over, we’re left with a void our brains have to recalibrate.”

Why does this happen?

The science of a happiness hangover is deeply rooted in our brain chemistry. During periods of excitement and connection, our brains release a cocktail of “feelgood” chemicals like dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin.