![BEAT party fear FOR GOOD](https://cdn.magzter.com/1389340925/1701977438/articles/cTOqwFDNK1702024803548/BEAT-PARTY-FEAR-FOR-GOOD.jpg)
Do you remember Christmas during lockdown, when we were all told to stay at home? Well, despite the obvious horror of a life-threatening virus sweeping the globe, I secretly enjoyed it. There was zero anxiety about the amount of parties, festive lunches and rolling buffets I'd be expected to go to, because there were zero social events happening and therefore no guilt over those last-minute 'I'm so sorry, I don't think I'm going to be able to make it' texts that I'd usually end up sending.
I have memories of watching Strictly and messaging a friend saying, 'Is it wrong that I'm loving not having to mix with other people?' with her immediately replying, 'Me too!' But it's not just me and my friends who are total Grinches. According to the mental health charity Mind, one in four adults in the UK feels anxious about social gatherings during the festive period, with nearly a fifth of people (19%) feigning sickness to get out of their company's annual Christmas do.
In fact, feeling anxious about socialising is completely normal and partly down to evolution, says life coach Karen Liebenguth (greenspacecoaching.com). 'We are biologically designed to care about what people think of us because people who were liked, admired and popular would have been more effective gene propagators,' she explains. 'People's opinions of us had a direct impact on our survival - a feeling that we've evolved with and can feel acutely in social events today.
More responsibilities
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 2024-Ausgabe von Woman & Home UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 2024-Ausgabe von Woman & Home UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
![Sporting SENSATIONS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/PcJ_UoEO41717160769478/SPORTING-SENSATIONS.jpg)
Sporting SENSATIONS
Olympian Tessa Sanderson CBE reflects on winning gold and shines a spotlight on some of Team GB's outstanding women
![The ROYAL REPORT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/LcaqHpwea1717160544018/THE-ROYAL-REPORT.jpg)
The ROYAL REPORT
One of the many privileges of working alongside the royal family is to see them up close and unvarnished.
![A DAY IN THE LIFE OF Dame Denise Lewis](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/9JSRh2o0K1717160395398/A-DAY-IN-THE-LIFE-OF-DAME-DENISE-LEWIS.jpg)
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF Dame Denise Lewis
The Olympian and BBC pundit, 51, lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband Steve. She has four children.
![BRIGHT & breezy](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/uhhlK0Kjc1717159937167/BRIGHT-BREEZY.jpg)
BRIGHT & breezy
Diana and Andy Irving set out to recreate American East Coast living at their Merseyside home, with spectacular results
![Why a slim body MIGHT NOT BE A HEALTHY ONE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/vEB3iZiM01717159687300/WHY-A-SLIM-BODY-MIGHT-NOT-BE-A-HEALTHY-ONE.jpg)
Why a slim body MIGHT NOT BE A HEALTHY ONE
This month, our expert Annie Deadman reveals why eating well is essential, no matter what size your clothing labels say
![My mother's GIFTS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/-X2qvso0D1717159292938/MY-MOTHERS-GIFTS.jpg)
My mother's GIFTS
When Genevieve Kingston's mother learnt she was dying, she found a poignant way to mark her children's milestones
![IT'S GOOD to talk](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/FilOLaikW1717158931730/ITS-GOOD-TO-TALK.jpg)
IT'S GOOD to talk
The last six months have seen unprecedented candour from the Royal Family. Emily Andrews asks, is this the end for 'never complain, never explain'?
![Sultry southern CHARM](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/Z20xRF-VU1717158443330/SULTRY-SOUTHERN-CHARM.jpg)
Sultry southern CHARM
Stretched along Italy's heel, Puglia offers a slice of the Italian good life, with peaceful hotels, indulgent meals and low-key glamour, says Lucy Thackray
![FRUITY PUDDINGS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/_KycVRV4L1717157706387/FRUITY-PUDDINGS.jpg)
FRUITY PUDDINGS
Easy crowd-pleasing desserts that can be made ahead of time
![Are weddings OUT OF CONTROL?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/ADl0nj4QO1717154606137/ARE-WEDDINGS-OUT-OF-CONTROL.jpg)
Are weddings OUT OF CONTROL?
You can’t put a price on love, but marriages these days can be eye-wateringly costly, as Christabel Smith discovers