• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Dating expert explains 'real reason' why break-ups are most common over Christmas

Home> Life> Sex & Relationships

Published 09:47 28 Dec 2023 GMT

Dating expert explains 'real reason' why break-ups are most common over Christmas

Here's how to avoid being dumped this winter...

Rhianna Benson

Rhianna Benson

There's obviously no perfect time to have your heartbroken, but being brutally dumped during the festive period is one of the nastiest ways to go.

Just when you thought you'd secured your happily ever after - that you and your special someone would walk hand-in-hand through the snow and watch The Holiday each Christmas for the rest of your lives - life deals you an unforeseen blow.

You wouldn't be alone in your misery however, as countless studies have found that the most common time for relationships to end is between December and February.

But according to relationship expert and founder of the Wingman dating app Tina Wilson, there's a way to prevent this winter heartbreak.

Advert

The first thing you have to do, however, is get your head around the most likely reasons that your partner may have called it quits this festive season.

"There is a noticeable trend of relationship breakdowns occurring between December and February," Tina exclusively told Tyla.

"While there isn't a definitive reason for this, there are several factors that could contribute."

Christmas can be a time of conflict for some couples.
Getty/Liubomyr Vorona

Advert

The first reason you're more likely to be dumped during the winter months is apparently due to the pressure of gift-giving.

"A cynic might say that gifting pressures will separate the casual and serious relationships highlighting the spendthrifts who do not wish to spend money on a partner," Tina explained.

"Especially one they see as not important, but also not wanting to define a relationship with the gifts that are bought under pressure.

"With Christmas and Valentine's so close together perhaps this is the time to save some pennies and become single once more."

Advert

Another factor that could lead to tension building up in your relationship over Christmas is the hotly-debated discussion on whose family you'll spend the 'big day' with.

Could seasonal effectiveness disorder (SAD) impact a couple's likeliness to split up?
Getty/Paolo Cordoni

The relationship expert added: "The holiday season can put additional pressure on relationships with the question of when and where you will celebrate - as a couple or apart, will you meet families or are you not that serious?

"The inner questions can cause angst and many will want to bolt at the thought of sitting around the dinner table with potential in-laws - knowing they are being scrutinised and judged."

Advert

Tina continued: "There is a huge focus on this time of year bringing increased expectations and stress, such as planning gatherings, buying gifts, and managing family dynamics.

"These added pressures can exacerbate existing issues within relationships."

Tina believes many couples split in winter because it's a time of reflection and introspection.
Getty/YorVen

Being that Christmas, New Year's and Valentine's Day are traditionally times for dramatic life alterations, moments of reflection and introspection, is it any surprise that so many girlfriends/boyfriends suddenly decide they'd rather be single?

Advert

"People may evaluate their lives and relationships, leading them to reassess their happiness and satisfaction," Tina disclosed.

"This self-reflection, combined with the often high emotional expectations of the holidays, can sometimes lead to the realisation that a relationship may not be working as desired.

"Additionally, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that tends to occur during the fall and winter months when daylight hours are shorter.

The majority of yearly splits happen during the festive period.
Getty/urbazon

"This condition can affect mood and energy levels, potentially impacting relationships."

The more you know, eh?

Get in touch with Tina at www.tinawilson.co/contact or check out the Wingman App - a free dating app that lets your friends play matchmaker.

Featured Image Credit: svetikd/Vincent Besnault/Getty Images

Topics: Christmas, Sex and Relationships

Rhianna Benson
Rhianna Benson

Rhianna is an Entertainment Journalist at LADbible Group, working across LADbible, UNILAD and Tyla. She has a Masters in News Journalism from the University of Salford and a Masters in Ancient History from the University of Edinburgh. She previously worked as a Celebrity Reporter for OK! and New Magazines, and as a TV Writer for Reach PLC.

X

@rhiannaBjourno

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
7 hours ago
9 hours ago
3 days ago
  • an hour ago

    New ‘bathroom camping’ trend is the latest ‘rawdogging’ craze to take over Gen Z

    You might have been doing this trend for years without even realising it...

    Life
  • 7 hours ago

    Bride and groom divide opinion with ‘Irish goodbye pass’ at wedding

    The pair have also provided an update after reading Redditors' 'direct' responses

    Life
  • 9 hours ago

    Psychotherapist shares two simple ways you can spot a ‘dry drunk’

    You may know someone who's a dry drunk, even if you haven't heard of the term before

    Life
  • 3 days ago

    Psychologist reveals concerning reason why Labubus are so addictive as ‘dangerous’ new trend sparks warning

    Research psychologist, Dr Emma Palmer-Cooper, has explained why people are so obsessed with collectibles

    Life
  • Expert reveals three gifts you should never buy women at Christmas
  • Real reason Olympic athlete was sent home after trying to break major rule with boyfriend
  • Surprising reason why the traditional Christmas meal in Japan is KFC
  • 5 tell-tale signs you’re dating a narcissist, according to expert