Why January has felt like the longest month ever

Marie-Claire Dorking
·Contributor
·5 min read
Woman feeling low, as January has felt like the longest month. (Getty Images)
We made it through January, but there's a scientific reason it's felt like the longest month ever. (Getty Images)

January was a tough month but we made it through. For many of us, it felt like the longest month of the year except January, with its 31 days, isn't any longer than December, July or the other six months of the same length. So why do we find ourselves stuck in this weird January time warp?

While we all experience time differently, experts say there are a number of psychological and neurological reasons why January seems to drag.

The post-Christmas comedown

After a December full of festivities and family gatherings, January and its return to normality can feel like something of a comedown. The twinkly Christmas lights are gone, further fuelling a sense of emptiness.

This transition can be difficult for many people to overcome as we have to adjust from the joy and social connection of the festive period into the often mundane reality of everyday life.

"January comes in direct contrast to December, which carries the same amount of days but many more excitements and celebrations within them," explains psychotherapist Eloise Skinner. "Our internal sense of time is greatly shaped by our perception of the quality of that time - so in a month where we're heading back to work and routines, it's easy to feel like the days are endless."

Woman packing Christmas decorations away.
The drop in dopamine after Christmas can make January feel like it drags. (Getty Images)

The fact that we're all sharing posts about January's 874 days also has a role to play in how long it seems. "The more we discuss how January is dragging, the more we start to really feel it in our own lives," explains Skinner. "This sense is heightened when we use shared social language to express our feelings around the duration of the month - memes, trends, etc."

From worrying about festive debt and potentially having to pay a tax return, there's a lot of financial woe at this time of year. Throw in the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and its little wonder the January days feel somewhat endless.

"Stress can make us feel more conscious of time passing, especially when it relates to trying to make money last longer," explains Skinner. "We might be counting down the days until a deadline, for example, or becoming conscious about how each day is passing."

Skinner says fear is another factor that can slow down our perception of time. "It's one of the reasons that people report horror films lasting longer than other genres," she explains. "So anxiety could definitely be a reason for the slowness of time passing."

With January 2025 bringing freezing temperatures and an onslaught of stormy weather, many are feeling the impact of the chillier, darker days on our mental wellbeing. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a medical condition and form of depression that affects individuals during certain times of the year. While the condition can occur in the summer, it's most common in the winter, particularly during January and February.

With the weather forcing us to spend more time at home this January, this could have the impact of making days feel longer, in a similar effect to that of lockdown. Research, published in the journal PLOS ONE, found lockdown significantly impacted people’s perception of how quickly time has passed, revealing that those less satisfied with their levels of social interaction were more likely to experience slower passage of time.

Man feeling low due to darker days.
Darker days and poor weather can contribute to the days feeling longer. (Getty Images)

Emotional state also plays a key role. "The post-holiday slump, financial stress from festive spending, and the pressure of resolutions can all lead to a feeling of stagnation," explains psychologist Barbara Santini. "Low mood is linked to slower time perception because the brain becomes more aware of passing minutes. When people feel unmotivated or fatigued, they engage less with their surroundings, making time drag."

From a neurological perspective, dopamine levels, also known as the feel-good hormone, are often lower in January, especially after the highs of December. "Dopamine drives motivation and excitement, making time feel faster when levels are high," Santini explains. "When depleted, as is common in winter, time feels sluggish."

Interestingly research has suggested memorable moments or new activities can also help to slow down our perception of time, so January, with its chance of new beginnings, new starts and a new sense of identity, can feel more lengthy than other months. "We might be starting new routines, feeling the benefit of new resolutions, or enjoying the 'fresh start' energy, which can allow us to create new memories," Skinner explains.

Woman feeling happy.
Brighter days are coming! (Getty Images)

Ok so January may finally be almost over, but there are some things you can do to stop the January drag next year. Santini says one practical way to combat it is to introduce novelty into daily life. "New routines, social activities, or even small changes in environment can trick the brain into perceiving time as more dynamic," she advises. "Staying engaged and setting short-term rewards also helps regulate perception."

Happy February folks!

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