Insights

Relationship advice & insights.

I'm Mark Ryan, a BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and NCPS Accredited Relationship Therapist working with relationships, couples, individuals, and polycules across London. This is where I write about the things that come up most often in the therapy room; jealousy, coming out to a partner, separation, sex and intimacy, and the ordinary arguments that usually aren't about what they first appear to be about.

Some of what's here is written for couples working through something together. Some of it is for one person trying to make sense of their own experience before bringing a partner into it. All of it is grounded in research and real clinical practice, not generic advice dressed up as insight.

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The Post-Christmas Blues
Mental Health and Wellbeing Mark Ryan Mental Health and Wellbeing Mark Ryan

The Post-Christmas Blues

The Christmas season is often filled with joy, connection, and celebration. It’s a time when routines are set aside, indulgence is encouraged, and relationships take centre stage. But when January arrives, many people experience a stark emotional contrast—what is often referred to as the post-Christmas blues.

This feeling can manifest as a general sense of sadness, lack of motivation, exhaustion, or even anxiety. For some, it can be a mild dip in mood; for others, it can feel like an overwhelming weight. Understanding why this happens and finding ways to manage it can be key to moving into the new year with resilience and hope.

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