A black heart is floating in the air on a white background.

Are you ready for intimacy this holiday season? How to Stress-Proof Your Relationship!

Kathleen Maiman • December 13, 2024

With the holiday season upon us, aliveness and energy is in the air.  The season can also be fraught with frenzy and heightened emotions. It is not uncommon for couples to be overwhelmed or disconnected during the holidays, especially if one or both of the partners gets triggered by certain events. The added stress can create relationship strife and difficulties.

A woman is kissing a man on the cheek while holding a Christmas present.

It is wise to come up with a plan to help one another navigate the inherent stresses that arise in the holiday season. Being prepared and invested in these concrete tips will provide the connection and intimacy each of you desire.


Misunderstandings and poor communication can often arise between partners especially when we have different needs. One partner may be happy to hang out with the family all day and drink egg nog while the other may need to get outside, get some fresh air and participate in a ski or a nature walk. Communicate your needs and desires upfront before spending time with the family and assuming the other will want to do what you want. Talking about each of your needs ahead of time will manage expectations and avoid the pain of feeling disappointed or hurt. 


Strengthen your relationship and remember that you are a team! The goal is to collaborate and compromise when needed. Perhaps you are hosting this year and guests will be coming over to the house. Communicate who is going to do what and which tasks each of you want to take on. Be sure not to keep score, as this can lead to resentment. It is important that each partner feels the responsibilities are balanced. When necessary, modify the plans to avoid getting overwhelmed and flooded with emotions and reactivity. Take the time to check in with one another, without trying to manage or fix the other. 



Give small gestures of appreciation. This will go a long way in strengthening your relationship. We all want to be acknowledged for our efforts. A great way to relieve stress and stay connected is to share compliments, and gratitude and appreciation. Make an extra effort to notice the small things your partner does such as grocery shopping, wrapping gifts, taking out the trash or making time for you. Verbalize your appreciation. 


Most importantly, try to schedule private time to connect. Of course, it may be difficult to get away from family and friends during a busy holiday season, but making intentional efforts to spend a few hours or an evening together will have you feel calmer and loved. Engaging in a cuddle, sitting in front of the fireplace or going for a walk will do wonders for your connection. These important quality time activities are meaningful and restorative.


Having a plan helps you spend less time in stressful states and more time enjoying company with your loved ones. We wish you a joyous holiday season!

Register for our Newsletter and receive a Free Love Chat Package

This Package Includes
  • The 5 Steps to a Better Relationship
  • Ongoing Monthly Relationship Tips
  • If you want more love in your life, our relationship Love Chat Package is an easy cost-free first step.
Click to Register
A couple drives on a sunny road, holding hands while the driver steers, with a mountain landscape visible through the glass.

Rules of Engagement: How Communication in Relationships Is Like Driving a Car

By Kathleen Maiman • March 16, 2026
Healthy communication is the foundation of every lasting relationship. Yet many couples find themselves feeling misunderstood or stuck in recurring arguments, not because they lack love, but because they haven’t learned the “rules of engagement” that make conversations effective. At my couples therapy practice in Calgary, I often describe communication as a shared journey: much like driving a car together. When both partners understand the “rules of the road,” they navigate challenges with greater ease, awareness, and respect.
Ice Skating Reflects the Dance of Lov

The Art of the Pair: How Going for Olympic Gold in Ice Skating Reflects the Dance of Love

By Kathleen Maiman • February 18, 2026
There are many highlights with the 2026 Olympics in Milan this winter. One of my favourites is the Ice Dancing Pairs. Watching them pursue the Olympic gold as a couple is breathtaking to watch. They are two people gliding across the ice as if they share one heartbeat. Every lift, every turn, every daring leap relies on
Couple on sofa talking to person in chair, bright room with flowers.

Valentine’s Day through a Therapist’s Eyes: Beyond Roses and Reservations

By Kathleen Maiman • February 6, 2026
Every February, couples across the world brace themselves for Valentine's Day, sometimes with excitement, sometimes with dread. While the day can invite sweetness and connection, it can also stir up pressure, disappointment, or quiet resentment. As a couple’s therapist, I often see Valentine’s Day magnify whatever is already humming beneath the surface of a relationship: intimacy, disconnection, hope, or longing.
Couple embraces on a cliff with mountainous vista; man kisses woman's forehead, both facing the view, overcast sky.

When Words Wound: Healing the Silent Sabotages in Your Everyday Talks

By Kathleen Maiman • January 28, 2026
Ever walk away from a talk feeling more alone? Discover the 3 silent conversation killers—and the simple, heart-centered shifts that turn "fixing" into "feeling."
Man and woman sitting on a gray couch, laughing. Man holding remote, woman with mug. Living room setting.

The Hidden Dance of "You're Always Right" vs "You Never Listen, Breaking the Core Conflict Loop

By Kathleen Maiman • December 24, 2025
Every couple has a core conflict dynamic, a recurring emotional negative dance that shapes how fights unfold, no matter the trigger. It's not about who’s factually correct; it’s about the unmet needs humming beneath the words.
Two people holding red mugs with marshmallows in front of a fireplace.

Taking It Easy in Your Relationship Over the Holiday Season

By Kathleen Maiman • December 19, 2025
The holidays can bring out the best and the worst in us. Between travel plans, family expectations, and endless to-do lists, even deeply connected couples and individuals can feel stretched thin. While this season promises joy and closeness, it also tests patience, communication, and self-care. Taking it easy—both with yourself and your partner and loved ones —can make all the difference.
Woman scolding man on couch; she gestures at a credit card, he looks down

When Money Talks Louder Than Love: Turning Financial Friction into Shared Security

By Kathleen Maiman • November 24, 2025
Money fights aren’t about dollars—they’re about emotions. Learn how couples can turn financial tension into deeper trust and partnership.
Couple wrapped in white blanket, smiling, walking in a garden. Green grass, apple trees in background.

Stop Trying to Fix Your Relationship, Try Growing Together Instead.

By Kathleen Maiman • November 17, 2025
Instead of trying to "fix" your partner or stop fights, shift your focus to growth. Learn how a growth mindset deepens intimacy, builds empathy, and creates lasting change.
Man arranging plants near window; woman leaning on mop in living room.

When Helping Becomes a Form of Control

By Kathleen Maiman • October 31, 2025
Helping is often celebrated as the hallmark of compassion. Acts of generosity and care can bond people, ease suffering, and foster trust.
A couple sitting on a couch, each using a smartphone, facing away from each other. White brick wall background.

The Impact of Screen Time on Couples

By Kathleen Maiman • October 28, 2025
In today’s digital world, screens have woven themselves into every moment of our lives. From the first scroll in the morning to the last glance before sleep: our phones and tablets are shaping how couples are spending time together. Just have a look the next time you go out to dinner and see the couple both sitting on their phone while waiting for their dinner to arrive. While this technology connects partners across distances, it can also subtly erode emotional intimacy when left unchecked. You are not alone if you’ve ever tried to talk to your partner while their eyes are glued to a glowing screen. In today’s world, screen time has quietly become the “third wheel” in many relationships.