A study has found that January leaves Brits feeling blue and that Norwich folk are the most depressed. Maybe they have never got over the pedestrianisation of the high street!
Norwich has been named the “saddest town in the UK” with one in four people in the city saying January is making them feel depressed.
The city – hometown of celeb chef Delia Smith, comedy legend Stephen Fry and fictional character Alan Partridge – came top after Brits were polled on how they feel by mid to late January due to long stretches of overcast days and limited sunlight.
A whopping 25% of Norwich folk responded that they felt genuinely depressed by the winter gloom. And the study found that 57% of Brits are now craving sunlight and warmth.
Stoke and Swansea came next in the list as both polled at 24%, while Manchester and Edinburgh rounded off the top five.
Research commissioned by British Gas found that 42% of Brits say they feel more depressed in January than any other month of the year, driven by the cold, long hours of darkness and a lack of natural sunlight.
And more than half (54%) wish January was a cheerier month, with 57% craving more light in their lives. So much so that 76% say they would love to own a SAD lamp to help boost their mood.
British Gas has responded by isntalling giant SAD lamps in Norwich in a bid to lift the spirits of locals.
Company spokesman David Moody said: “For more than two centuries, British Gas has helped light and heat homes across the country – from maintaining London’s iconic gas lamps to powering homes nationwide.
“Today, research shows just how tough the darker months can be on people’s mood and motivation. From getting outside during daylight hours to creating a warm, cosy home, Brits are actively looking for ways to feel better through winter.”
The study a quarter of Brits feel a sense of despair at how many months there are until the weather gets warmer, while half admit they find people a bit more irritating than usual during this period.
And when winter blues hit, many retreat indoors with 41% confessing they’ve ended up sitting on the sofa for hours, while 36% have stayed in bed all day.
A third avoid social situations, while almost quarter ignore phone calls or doom scroll for hours and 14% leave people on “read” for days in the midst of their low mood.
More than half said they make sure their home is super cosy by putting the heating on, snuggling in comfy clothes and drinking hot drinks. A third light candles, bake bread or cakes.
Psychologist Dr Becky Spelman said: “January is often one of the hardest months of the year for many people across the UK. The festive period is over, routines feel disrupted, and the days are cold, dark and short.
“After weeks of reduced daylight and increased pressure around the end of the year, it is very common for mood, energy and motivation to dip. For many people, this can show up as tiredness, low mood, irritability or a desire to withdraw socially.
“Seasonal Affective Disorder is linked to reduced exposure to natural light, which can affect the body’s internal clock and the hormones that regulate mood and sleep. Even people who do not meet the criteria for SAD, often experience a milder version of the winter blues. This is not a sign of weakness. It is a very human response to environmental changes that are largely outside our control.”
BRITAIN’S 20 SADDEST TOWNS
Norwich – 25% *Feel genuinely “depressed” by mid to late January
Stoke – 24%
Swansea – 24%
Manchester – 21%
Edinburgh – 16%
Glasgow – 16%
Oxford – 16%
Bristol – 15%
Plymouth – 15%
Cambridge – 15%
Dr Becky Spelman’s ten tips to beat winter blues
Use a SAD lamp in the morning to boost light exposure
Get outside during daylight hours whenever possible
Make your home warm, cosy and comforting with soft lighting and ambience
Stick to a gentle daily routine
Prioritise good sleep and regular bedtimes
Move your body in small, manageable ways
Stay socially connected, even briefly
Eat regular, nourishing meals
Reduce doom scrolling and excessive screen time
Seek professional support if low mood persists
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