Let’s love Xmas all together

SO, man flu is actually real – and it’s all women’s fault. A scientist in Newfoundland land who reviewed years of data ta says men have a weaker immune ne system – which is an evolutionary utionary side effect of cavemen fighting hting for mates. This irritating news follows moves to ban adverts, jokes and media portrayals of “useless blokes”. kes”. Radio 2 presenter Jeremy my Vine, pictu pictured left, has even weighed in sayi saying the expression “dad da dancing” should be made illegal – although after watching him o on Strictly two years ago I’d o outlaw the actual practice. Watchdogs promise to int introduce a new ban on gender ste stereotypes next year. I If the blokes on the Advertising Stan Standards committee can put down the TV remote and tear themselves awa away from the football. ’TIS the season for Christmas surveys… and I’ve had a bumper email box-full.

But apart from the “Corniest Cracker Jokes Ever” there’s been very little festive cheer in them.

Instead the polls drone on about the stress of pressie shopping or how likely you are to break down in the car, break up with your partner or freeze your baubles off when the boiler packs up.

Then there’s the strain of hosting the in-laws (20 per cent of Brits would rather spend time with their pets) and the terrible ordeal of having to eat four Christmas dinners with our modern extended families. Of course these polls are

gC mostly ploys to push online shopping or flog insurance, doggie gifts and heartburn remedies.

But other seasonal statistics need to be taken more seriously – such as those revealing the agony of Christmas loneliness and long-term isolation.

This week the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness – named after the murdered MP – called it a “social epidemic”.

Their study found nine million Brits are lonely and the health consequences cost the economy £32billion every year.

Being lonely leads to stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, substance misuse and coronary heart disease.

It’s as damaging to health as obesity, or smoking 15 cigarettes a day. And, when DO you think Meghan Markle has been binge-watching the new series of The Crown on Netflix before spending Christmas with the royals?

I have, and it’s brilliant – especially the storyline about Princess Margaret’s courtship and marriage to photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones.

Palace courtiers were horrified when the Queen’s sister fell for a commoner combined with the cold December weather, it can kill. England’s chief nurse, Prof Jane Cunningham, says: “For vulnerable groups, social isolation combined with the health dangers of colder weather is lethal.”

Yet mental health charity Mind says 36 per cent of people are too embarrassed to admit they are lonely at Christmas, a quarter feel unable to ask for help and one in five think they’ve nowhere to turn for support.

Because of that, one in ten people have considered taking their own lives. But Mind CAN help, through its Infoline 0300 123 3393 and through its online support community Elefriends – mind.org.uk/christmas. And we can all help too. Instead of moaning about visiting relatives and eating four turkey dinners, spare a thought for those without anyone to share their Christmas. Go and call on a neighbour or phone that friend who no one hears from these days. Then take one more step – sign up to campaigntoendloneliness.org.

Better still, take a break from your social media circle and join a real group that serves your local community.

Because another of those surveys shows that people’s happiness levels rise by nine per cent with each new group they join.

And by spreading some festive cheer to others, you’ll find you have an even jollier time yourself.

Merry Christmas everyone. from the world of showbiz and tried to make HM warn her off. Still, Meghan can go to Sandringham safe in the knowledge that everything’s changed. Erm, except Christmas… which is stuck in the 1930s. Church, cocktails, lunch, watch The Speech, stand for the National Anthem, board games, change frocks five times, then slaughter pheasants on Boxing Day. Have fun, Meghan!