‘Tis the season to be jolly! Then why is it that many of us find this time of year stressful and that the number of couples signing up for couple and relationship counselling increases? The Christmas period while one of the most looked forward to times of years also comes with a number of contributors that place stress and unease on both the individual and the relationship. Our values around money is a major contributor to stress and fuels many arguments as couples have differing views on how much they should be spending this time of year. Christmas is also the time for meeting up with family and these occasions can often bring up old tensions and grievances from the past and when fueled with alcohol lead can lead to arguments and increased tension. Here at my Planet Health we really value the relationship and believe a harmonious family environment can be the heart of our emotional well being. We have seen how counselling and talking therapies can really help couples find better ways of communicating, understanding and appreciating one another. Sometimes simply taking a step back from the whirlwind that the Christmas season brings and focusing on everything we have got (not what we need to buy!) and being kinder to one another, is all it really needs. If you or your partner are struggling or need to talk My Planet Health offers couple and relationship counselling. Please email info@myplanethealth.co.uk for further details or to book an appointment.