Expert Reveals One Easy Way To Safeguard Your Relationship This Christmas

Does your partner sometimes drive you to drink?

'Tis the season to spread love and joy and all that, but Christmas is actually notoriously bad for break ups.

In fact, marital website Ashley Madison sees a whopping 8% increase in subscriptions between December and January, and stats showing that even the most well-adjusted couples struggle at this time of year.

Of course, stress is a factor. As is family pressure, and - let's face it - spending too much time together.

But another important factor is one you may not have considered, and something that could save your relationship from the bin if you're aware of it.

Alcohol.

We hate to be party-poopers, but drinking too much can have a negative impact on you and your other half at a time when tensions are already high.

Relationship expert and psychotherapist Melissa Ferrari told the Daily Mail: 'As a couple you need to be able to predict that somethings are going to come in from the outside that have nothing to do with relationship.'

'Too much alcohol can cause a lag, or one person can even feel depressed the next day. Your ability to correct things that might go wrong is lowered, and you need to be able to do that in a relationship.'

Another big factor in saving your relationship? Letting go of the idea of 'perfection'.

Melissa goes on:

'Background, biology, family expectations can all play into a specific idea of what a person thinks a relationship should look like.

'The pressure to look good from the outside is not congruent with the reality of being up close and in relationship.'

We'll definitely cheers to that one.