Merry Christmas, happy holidays and good luck out there.
Merry Christmas, happy holidays and good luck out there.
While we expect this time of year to be full of heart-warming moments and festive frivolity, sometimes, Christmas can be overwhelming.
Whether it’s family, food or an inability to switch off completely, in between the moments of joy are times when everything feels just a little bit hard.
Tohelp, we’ve rounded up some of the best expert advice we’ve published in the lead up to Christmas, and put it all in one place as a holiday survival guide to help get you through.
Merry Christmas, happy holidays and good luck out there.
Stress over the food prep? We have advice on the basics.
I’m a cardiologist – yes, you can indulge at Christmas, but try to avoid the picky bits
From what to eat for breakfast to which tipples to serve with lunch, one heart health expert reveals his blueprint for the festive period. Read the story here.
Nine science-backed ways to prevent overeating this Christmas
Often Christmas seems like a non-stop smorgasbord of cocktails, appetisers and treats.
But we’ve consulted the experts – scientists, clinical psychologists, neuroscientists – and come armed with tricks to prevent overeating this year. Read the story here.
How to rest:
Why ‘time off at the beach’ won’t fix your fatigue...
… But the tips in this burnout recovery guide might help. Read the story here.
Six things that make ADHD worse at Christmas and how to cope
Expert tips for avoiding a ‘dopamine sleigh ride’ to regret. Read them here.
Communicating with loved ones isn't always as simple as it sounds.
How to talk to your loved ones:
Surviving Christmas: A psychologist’s guide to navigating (and enjoying) time with your family
We love them all dearly, but close proximity with family can be difficult, especially when the pressure is on to enjoy your time together.
We asked Dr Kate MacKrill, health psychologist and University of Auckland lecturer in health psychology, how to handle some of the common personal dilemmas that crop up around the holidays. Here are her tips for navigating your family Christmas.
Gaslighting can mar holiday gatherings. Here’s how to identify, avoid it
Before letting gaslighting turn a festive event into a battlefield of emotions, consider the triggers that might bring it out within your family. Read more here.
What to do if you hate your son’s girlfriend (and she can’t stand you)
Tension between mothers, sons and their partners is a long-standing trope - but a trope is a trope for a reason. Here’s how to keep things civil.
Whether you want to improve - or rescue - your relationship, look no further.
How to work on your relationship:
Lost your libido in December? Don’t worry, you’re about to make up for it
A Kiwi sex coach explains why Christmas is (temporarily) killing your sex drive. Read more here.
How to navigate love and loneliness this holiday season, according to a couples therapist
Is proposing over Christmas romantic or reckless? Should you delay a breakup until after the holidays? A relationship therapist answers some burning questions. Read the advice here.
Is your partner’s dress sense hurting your relationship?
