‘Sexless January’ trend: Why couples are cooling off after the holidays

Confession: As a single person struggling through a very single holiday season, I recently stumbled upon some news that made me feel a little (shamefully) smug.

It all started when my friend of ten years messaged me angrily: “Honestly, I’ve never wanted my husband more than I do now, but he’s totally giving me the cold shoulder!”

Well, it’s safe to say my ears perked up. The couple has been known for their over-the-top displays of affection in public. They were a horny high school sweethearts who never really got out of the “rip each other’s clothes off” phase.

Yeah yeah, good for them. sigh.

Therefore, this discovery is shocking. She explained that she thought their dry spell could be put down to driving him crazy over Christmas. Dragging him to three different relatives’ homes, assigning him a coveted job, hanging holiday lights all over the house, and making him make countless last-minute trips to the supermarket just to “do one more thing.” thing”.

“He’s so tired he doesn’t even want a hug!” she moaned. Meanwhile, she’s eager to reconnect and get naked, but he’s more interested in binge-watching football highlights. yawn.

It turns out she’s not alone. Past surveys from the American Psychological Association have found that 38% of Americans describe the holidays as “somewhat stressful,” and 26% say they are “very stressful.” Add in post-Christmas credit card debt, family drama, and bloating from too much turkey, and it’s no wonder couples need a breather in January.

Yes, post-holiday burnout is real. Experts agree that the holidays are a perfect storm to kill your mood.

“It’s very common for couples to experience a decrease in intimacy in January,” Simon Jobson, a relationship counselor in New York, told me. “The holidays bring a lot of external stressors, from financial strains to emotional exhaustion. When it’s all over, most people just need time to rest and recover.”

Let’s not forget the rather grim elephant in the room: January is officially divorce season. Legal experts say there was a 30% jump in applications at the start of the year as couples who had been holding out for the holidays finally threw in the towel. Could bedroom drought be a warning sign? Or just seasonal burnout?

Before you start googling “couples therapy near me,” let’s pump the brakes. A dry January doesn’t have to spell doom and gloom for your relationship.

I searched around and found some cheeky tips to help you defrost:

1. Start small: What’s the solution, friends? During a football game, she leaned over and whispered, “You know what, I think the neighbors heard us last time.” She said his reaction was immediate. “His eyes lit up and suddenly I wasn’t invisible anymore!” Sometimes, all it takes is a sexy reminder of all you’ve got.
2. Schedule a day of doing nothing: New York’s “go, go, go” culture leaves little time to relax. So why not take a day to do nothing but watch Netflix, eat a snack, or cuddle up on the couch? Isn’t this the best hug?
3. flirt: Remember how you used to send each other ridiculous memes, share inside jokes, or surprise each other with playful sex messages? Start doing it again! Humor and playfulness are an underrated aphrodisiac.
4. Break the rules: Experts say even small changes can reignite the spark. Swap your usual pizza night for a cooking class, or go ice skating for a nostalgic date. Benefits: Physical activity can help rekindle your mood by boosting endorphins. Let’s climb a damn mountain together.
5. Use January as a new beginning: Instead of focusing on resolutions about kale smoothies and gym memberships (snort!), make a joint resolution to set each other’s priorities. Set goals for date nights, little surprises, or even just more hugs.

So, is a sexless January a red flag? not necessarily. Simone Jobson explains: “Many couples recover naturally once the stress of the holidays has passed. But if the disconnect continues into February or March, it may be worth addressing the deeper issues.”

Here I am, soaking wet, thinking I’m the only person in the world who’s not taking any action this holiday season. Turns out, even the horniest couple will respond to this with, “Well, no thanks.”

But let’s not rest on our laurels. It’s time to get back in the game and heat things up. Because life is too short for perpetual Sexless January — and honestly, who wants to wait until spring to bring back spice? Not me. It’s cold enough at Christmas!