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Conducts a Survey on “Winter Motivation Slumps and AI Support”
AI Avatar Co., Ltd. Conducts a Survey on “Winter Motivation Slumps and AI Support”
94% Experience Lower Motivation in Winter; Strong Demand for Gentle, Supportive Encouragement
— Growing Voices Seeking Reassurance, and Rising Expectations for AI Avatars as “Emotional Companions” —
AI Avatar Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Ichiro Kato; hereinafter referred to as “the Company”), which advocates being the “absolute cheerleader” for those who strive, conducted a nationwide survey of 190 men and women in their 20s to 40s regarding “Winter Motivation Slumps and AI Support.”
The survey found that roughly 90% of respondents feel a drop in motivation during winter, and many struggle especially with the “first step” of action, such as getting up in the morning or going outside. In addition, many people reported that being encouraged helps them act more positively. Among different types of encouragement, gentle, comforting, and supportive words were found to resonate most strongly. These results suggest rising expectations for AI avatars to serve as reassuring emotional companions who help people navigate winter sluggishness.
■ Background and Purpose of the Survey
Winter is a season when many people are more likely to feel unmotivated or unable to take action, due to a combination of factors such as cold-related physical discomfort, reduced daylight hours, and the busyness of year-end events. This survey was conducted to clarify how this winter-specific sense of stagnation affects daily behavior and mood, and to examine how much “support” そして “empathetic encouragement” can help alleviate it.
In particular, the survey aimed to explore how a companion-style AI like AI avatars could contribute to mitigating motivation declines during winter.
■ Survey Summary
- 94% answered that they “feel unmotivated in winter,” confirming that winter is a season where motivation clearly tends to drop.
- Main causes of motivation slumps were winter-specific burdens such as cold weather, physical discomfort, and unexplained low mood.
- について 75% answered that “being encouraged makes them more positive and proactive,” demonstrating the effectiveness of encouragement during winter sluggishness.
- The most impactful encouragement was gentle, empathetic, and healing language, showing a stronger preference for reassurance over pushy motivation.
- Positive images of supportive AI centered on reassurance, positivity, and growth support, indicating rising expectations for AI avatars as “emotional companions.”
【Survey Overview: “Winter Motivation Slumps and AI Support”】
- Sample size: 190
- Participants: Men and women aged 20–40s
- Survey date: Friday, November 14, 2025
- Method: Online survey
■ Detailed Findings
Do you ever feel “unmotivated” during winter? (n=190)
94% responded that they feel unmotivated in winter, showing that winter is widely recognized as a season where motivation drops easily. Over half answered “often,” suggesting that factors like cold temperatures, health fluctuations, and lack of sunlight combine to create a recurring annual pattern. The widespread recognition of winter sluggishness highlights the need for support to reduce seasonal downturns.
What are the main reasons you feel unmotivated? (Multiple answers allowed) (n=179)
The most common reasons were “I don’t feel like moving because it’s cold” そして “Physical discomfort caused by cold weather.” Winter-specific lifestyle shifts also played a role, including year-end busyness そして financial burdens. About one in four respondents answered, “I feel down for no specific reason,” indicating that winter disrupts physical condition, routines, and mental state simultaneously. Motivation decline in winter is thus influenced by multiple overlapping factors.
Do you feel that being “cheered on” affects your motivation or actions? (n=190)
Approximately 75% answered that encouragement has a positive impact on their actions. Although people may not receive encouragement frequently in daily life, many clearly feel that supportive words help them take action. Especially during winter, when moods are more likely to drop, encouragement becomes a powerful push toward recovery of motivation.
What type of encouragement resonates most with you? (n=186)
The most supported answers were gentle, healing, and empathetic phrases such as “Take it slow, that’s okay,” そして “Please take care of yourself.” These were followed by empathetic words that make people feel understood. Traditional “cheerleading” phrases like “You can do it!” were a minority. During winter, people tend to value reassurance more than strong motivation, and empathetic communication is more effective for restoring motivation.
What impressions do you have of an AI that supports and encourages you, such as AI avatars? (Multiple answers allowed) (n=190)
Respondents expressed many positive impressions, including “a sense of reassurance from being listened to,” “feeling more positive,” そして “support for personal growth.” AI was seen less as an authoritative “coach,” and more as a warm “emotional companion” that stays close and accepts people’s small stumbles in daily life. The survey suggests that people want AI to provide reassurance and positivity more than correctness.
■ Conclusion
The survey confirms that winter is a season when many people feel low mood or struggle to take action, especially at the starting point such as getting up in the morning. Meanwhile, about 75% reported that encouragement improves their actions, and the most desired form of support was not strong “You can do it!” motivation, but rather gentle, empathetic, and healing encouragement.
These trends indicate rising expectations for AI avatars to serve as reassuring emotional companions who quietly support people and help them take a step forward.
■ Comment from AI Avatar Co., Ltd.
Winter is a season where many people experience emotional downturns and hesitation in taking action, and this survey clearly reflects that reality. We want to be a presence that helps people avoid carrying their small daily “I can’t get started” moments alone, and instead supports them with gentle empathy while encouraging a positive first step forward. AI Avatar is not meant to control people through technology, but to function as a companion that stays close to their feelings, delivering reassurance and positive change. We will continue developing our services to fulfill that role.
■ About AI Avatar Co., Ltd.
Just as generative AI has rapidly spread throughout society in recent years, a future is approaching in which interacting with personalized AI avatars becomes part of everyday life. To lead this new era, we will continue rolling out applications that support “continuation” across various areas of life.
Beyond technological innovation, we aim to capture social trends and people’s evolving needs, and establish a global standard for companion-style AI avatars that support self-realization.
■ About “Companion-Style AI Avatars”
Many people have experienced setting a goal—“This year, I’ll do it!”—only to give up after a few days. To address this challenge, we believe not only strong personal willpower but also the presence of a supportive companion partner is essential.
AI Avatar combines our advanced avatar-generation technology with a companion experience where an admired presence stays by your side and encourages you. This creates a new form of companion-style AI avatar.
As the first step, we will focus on goals that many people struggle to maintain, such as dieting and exercise, and release the first service, “SOULRiZA.” We believe this app symbolizes the new form of companion-style AI avatars and will empower users to overcome barriers they cannot face alone.
■ Overview of First Service “SOULRiZA”
- App name: SOULRiZA
- Provider: AI Avatar Co., Ltd.
- Supported platforms: iOS / Android (Worldwide)
- Main features:
- Video content by AI avatars
- Habit-building support through push notifications
- Pricing: Free (with some in-app purchases after extended use)
Download:
- iOS: App Store
- Android: Google Play
【Company Profile】
- Company name: AI Avatar Co., Ltd.
- Representative: 加藤一郎
- ウェブサイト https://jp.aiavatar.fun/
- 住所
Pacific Century Marunouchi 20F,
1-11-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan - Business: Development / operation / sales of consumer products utilizing AI
Official SNS
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aiavatarjapan
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiavatar_japan/
- X: https://x.com/aiavatar_japan
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTrSAg9bcBaCO6SVoRVPa5Q