HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Cheers to the year ahead. May it be good for each and every one of you!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM DR. SETH!

Enjoy, be a little wild and a lot safe!

Statistics: Marriage Is Becoming Less Popular

According to a report on NPR (December 16, 2011), fewer people are getting married today than in the past, and people are waiting until later to the tie the knot.

The average age for a woman to get married these days is 26, while the average age for men is 29.

This is really good news, because studies show that, the older people wait to get married, the lower the likelihood is that they will divorce.

Why You Should Try COUPLES Therapy

Back in the day, seeking out a therapist was a virtual no-no. Those who had therapists were considered crazy or mentally ill, and individuals and couples were afraid to start seeing a therapist because of the stigma.

Man, have times changed. Today, people talk fairly openly about seeing a therapist, and co-workers listen to each other's dramas at the water cooler and now casually suggest, "You should probably talk to someone."

For couples, I find that couples therapy is one of the smartest investments they can make. Why? Because every member of every couple across the world has some sort of built-up resentment that's been marinating for a while. Those who deny this reality are probably some of the most resentful deep down!

Couples therapy gives couples a space to vent their negative feelings, and even the best relationships have their fair share of frustration and resentments. The couples who have never tried therapy - or wouldn't dare to try it - are often afraid that talking about problems will open Pandora's box. The logic is that opening the floodgates might lead to the end of the relationship.

I always tell people the same thing: couples therapy won't break up your relationship unless the truth is that the two of you aren't meant to be together. So, be fearless and responsible, and consider talking to a trained mental health clincian when you hit a rocky patch in your relationship. It could truly save your relationship and make it better, to boot!

How to Give Christmas Gifts That Actually Get USED!

It's that time of the year: stores are mobbed with angsty shoppers and everyone's to-do list is maxed out. In the midst of holiday-induced chaos, you might find yourself buying random, obligatory gifts for loved ones, simply to check it off your list and move on to the hundred other people you need to buy for. Some quick advice: don't do that!

I know that it's not possible to spend a lot of time planning each gift you give this year, but select a few loved ones from your list and make a special effort to plan those gifts carefully. Specifically, I want you to set aside thirty minutes in the next week and use that time to seriously think about what you could get three special loved ones this year.

You can take this thirty minutes in the car or on the treadmill, while preparing dinner or getting ready in the morning. Ask yourself the following questions so that you choose gifts that the receivers will truly love, appreciate, and USE!

1. What is something they like that they would never buy for themselves?
2. What is a service (e.g, massage, pedicure, etc.) that they would probably enjoy even though they would never arrange to have the service themselves?
3. What is something you could get them that satisfies one of the five senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell?
4. What is an example of a gift they would like that you could search online for a special version of ( an antique version, or perhaps a version from another country?

Nothing drives me more crazy than unused gifts lying around: it just makes no sense. None of us have money to burn, so it's a shame that so many men and women spend hard-earned dollars on so many gifts that go to waste. By taking advantage of a thirty-minute gift-planning session, and answering the questions above, you can make sure that you're spending that gift money wisely!

Dr. Seth on "The Doctors" (CBS): Tuesday

Check me out on The Doctors (CBS) this Tuesday when I'll be helping three women learn how to manage their anger!

How NOT to Kiss!

In the book, The Art of Kissing, published by William Cane, kissing dos and don'ts are revealed. The number one mistake men and women make in kissing? Being too aggressive with the tongue. Slow down, people, and settle in for a relaxed kiss, rather than trying to clean out a gutter with a rubber hose.

A kiss is how sexual play usually begins, so it's important that you send the message to the one you're kissing that you're not working, but actually enjoying yourself! Most importantly, kissing too aggressively can be a sign of anxiety, and you don't want to come across as anxious or nervous in such a romantic moment.

Finally, once you've been dating someone for a few weeks, compliment the way they kiss and ask how they like the way you do it. Sometimes people need to be invited to do talk about something that can be a little awkward.

PLUS: Check out Dr. Seth's book, Dr. Seth's Love Prescription, today about how to stop repeating the same negative patterns in your romantic relationships. (Click the book cover to the right to buy a copy today!)