relationship

But the reality for many people is nothing like this - and you might find your friends turning to you for help.

"For a lot of our callers, every day is a struggle, but Christmas can be more of a struggle than usual," says Samaritans volunteer Nadine Barr.

Here's how she recommends you support the people you love.

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Samaritans takes over 5.4 million calls every year, and Nadine says bereavement, loneliness and money are all common problems for people at this time of year.

It seems like everyone has a theory about what it takes to live happily ever after, and no two people seem to agree. But science tells us what appears most likely to lead to relationship bliss. Here's how the research advises that we tackle three of the major challenges we face when trying to find, and keep, that special someone:

1. What to Look For In a Mate: Someone Agreeable, Conscientious, and Emotionally Stable