The holidays can be both beneficial and detrimental to a relationship. Over a lifetime, 22 percent of married men and 14 percent of married women have had sex with someone other than their spouse. Circumstances often coalesce around the holidays to produce an environment hostile toward building or maintaining a healthy relationship.
Consider the holiday parties, the added stress, the additional budgetary constraints that come with gift buying, family politics, drinking and eating more than normal. When considering some of the main reasons people have affairs, they can all be found wrapped up in holiday stress.
“One of the main reasons people have affairs is to counteract feelings of stress, separation or loss,” explains an expert, “and the holidays can bring all these feelings up at once.
“We are easily stressed out, easily reminded of loved ones that are no longer with us or of family we find it hard to be around.”
Additionally, the nostalgia and emotionality of the holiday season creates a vulnerability exacerbated by lowered inhibitions brought on by more drinking and eating than normal. This creates the potential “perfect storm” for people seeking solace outside their relationship.
