Fatigue already in the morning, mood swings, feeling of uselessness. Often these are the feelings that dominate these days. January is traditionally considered the longest and saddest month of the year.. New Year, New Decisions: This would be the perfect time to start new habits, celebrate new beginnings, set goals, raise high hopes for the coming months. And yet, in many of us, a sense of silence and emptiness prevails, like a still time that is destined to never pass. It is no coincidence that between the third and fourth Monday of the month the Anglo-Saxon countries are in Blue Monday, literally “sad Monday”, the most depressing day of the year. Discovered in 2005 by Cliff Arnol, a psychologist at Cardiff University, this date was algorithmically determined and, although subject to pseudoscientific theories, is highlighted by social media and advertising campaigns every year.

Actually there is a scientific explanation for the emotional difficulties we experience in the first (and longest) month of the year. “Despite the fact that the days are getting a little longer, they seem to be getting shorter. This leads to the feeling that the day ends earlier. It feels like it is later than it really is,” explains Professor David Whitmore from University College . London. Thanks to the enthusiasm associated with the Christmas holidays, it seems that January will never end, and for many, it proves to be the most difficult obstacle to overcome. This perception is the result biological, mental and organizational factorsand also for this reason, this feeling is so unique,” ​​explains psychologist Lara Franzoni. “January is the month when planning begins for us and for others, so it is difficult to delay or resort to other means or avoid the decisions that we have. data and against which we would feel inconsistent. So the commitment is high, but in this case there is no immediate gratification. Results and holidays are too far away to be motivation”.

Among the factors that should not be underestimated are biological reasons.. “Time spent outdoors or in the sun is not enough, causing us to withdraw into ourselves, hiding more in sleep or food. And as this retreat has been going on for several months, the old ways may begin to seem easy, but ineffective or boring, like watching a TV show instead of going on a trip,” continues Lara Franzoni. “Finally, the difficulties that happen all the time, when placed in the context of initiation and initiation, can make us pessimistic and embittered.” To cope with this feeling of exhaustion and impotence, the advice might be to think about more limited goals, talk about closer dates with little satisfaction, without burdening this month with the responsibility of setting a new course for the whole year. within a month that will determine the trend of the next eleven. We reduce expectations and goals by calibrating them with our energy, without reproach.. Only in this way can we truly use our potential. And in the blink of an eye it will be February 1st.