January is often a month of reckoning for couples. While the festive season is marketed as a time of connection, therapists consistently see an increase in relationship strain once the celebrations end.
After weeks of hosting, family obligations, and all the madness that goes with the long school holidays, many couples notice an unsettling shift: less touch, less intimacy, and more emotional distance.
According to Dr Michael J. Salas, a licensed professional counsellor-supervisor and certified sex therapist, this drop in desire is common and frequently misunderstood.
“When desire fades in January, people often assume something is wrong with their relationship,” Salas explains. “In reality, it’s often a mix of seasonal stress, emotional fatigue, and unspoken needs coming to the surface.”
Why January is a pressure point for intimacy
With schools…
