How to Manage Family Stress During the Holiday Season by Christina Rascoe  

The holiday season is fast approaching which can mean a lot of things for people. It can mean no more school for two weeks, time to unwind, a bunch of holiday shopping, volunteering, good eats, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends. While we look at the holiday season as a cheerful time, it can also be a stressful time. For some, the holidays can cause some anxiety due to being around family. Unfortunately, some people’s experiences of their family may not be as positive as one would like. Since it may be challenging to avoid family during the holidays, here are some tips to consider so that way we can manage stress and protect our peace during the holiday season!

Manage your expectations

Stop expecting and start accepting. Everyone has their own perspective on what the holidays should be like and how family interactions should be. You can blame society and even social media for these expectations. Unfortunately, you cannot control other people’s actions. It can be exhausting trying to change people’s behaviors. Therefore to maintain your peace, keep realistic expectations of your family members. Also, take this time to reflect on the reasons why you’re visiting family and what you hope to get from the visit. If you may be only visiting family to meet someone else’s needs, then maybe it is time to consider alternative plans for the holidays.

Set personal boundaries ahead of time 

Take time beforehand to reflect on what people, topics, activities, etc make you feel good and what do not. Use this information to guide your decisions throughout the trip. This can range from traveling accommodations, sleeping arrangements, mealtimes, etc. What makes a family a family is the different personalities, behaviors, and beliefs that are brought to the table. With that being said, avoid specific topics that can potentially cause conflict such as political views. If a topic comes up that you do not like, do not be afraid to set your boundary and communicate that you have to leave the room to avoid this conversation. 

Practice mindfulness 

Mindfulness is the state of active, open attention to the present. A part of mindfulness is to be attentive to our own thoughts and feelings as they arise. An uncomfortable upcoming event can cause anxiety days before the actual event. Therefore, one should try to be aware of their emotions and practice self-care beforehand. This can range from exercising, listening to music, eating well, reading, sleeping, etc. It is also important to be attentive to our emotions during the moment as well. When visiting family, do not be afraid to take a breather. Go for a walk or practice deep breathing exercises. Do whatever makes you feel good at that moment. 

Keep an open mind 

Just like you set boundaries and have needs, your family members do as well. Give your family members the space to communicate their needs and be sure you are making them feel heard. Share how you are willing to be flexible and may have to adjust your plan to accommodate their needs.

Refuel and re-establish your routine 

The holidays are now over and you have managed to push through. That said, take time to refuel and get back into your routine. This can be reconnecting with friends when you’re back in town if you spent too much time with your family during the break or spending quality time with your immediate family. Of course, practice your regular self-care activities to help you feel centered and at peace again!