Tips With Dealing With Family During The Holidays

The holiday season is officially here and there’s a good chance you have at least one family gathering coming up. While people celebrate differently, most can agree that this season is a time of togetherness. 

But, let’s be honest, it’s not always easy to deal with family members during the holidays. Whether you’re getting together for a single event or you have family members staying with you for a few days, things can get frustrating and maybe even tense quickly. 

So, what can you do? How can you deal with family during the holiday and still enjoy the festivities? 

Set Boundaries

One of the most effective ways to deal with your family this season is to set boundaries right away. That means you don’t have to say “yes” to every family get-together or feel obligated to spend time with people who might be toxic. 

Additionally, don’t be afraid to set boundaries with individuals. If there are certain family members who make you uncomfortable, don’t feel like you have to spend time with them. If you know that certain subjects tend to trigger negative feelings, make it clear that you won’t be discussing them. 

Setting boundaries isn’t rude or out of line. It lets people know what to expect and helps to maintain your mental well-being. 

Practice Self-Care

It’s the season of giving, but that means giving to yourself, too! 

Self-care is important throughout the year, but it’s even more essential during the holiday season when things tend to be a bit more stressful. 

Make sure you’re taking time for yourself this season. Try to do something every day that benefits your overall well-being. That could be getting a good night’s sleep, eating a healthy meal, or exercising. Even spending time outside can help you feel less stressed and more energetic. If your family is getting to you or you’re already dreading the get-togethers, focus on as much “me time” as possible with daily self-care practices. 

Manage Your Expectations

We would all like to jump into a Norman Rockwell painting or have a Hallmark-style Christmas. Unfortunately, those things aren’t really the norm. 

People tend to get their hopes up around the holidays. It’s easy to feel like there’s a kind of magic in the air. While the season is special, it’s important to manage your expectations, especially with your family, so you aren’t disappointed. 

Your family get-togethers likely won’t go off without a hitch. The cousin you tend to disagree with on politics probably isn’t going to change. Your aunt’s cookies aren’t going to be better than last year’s batch. 

When you manage your expectations and focus on making them as realistic as possible, you’re less likely to be let down by your family gatherings. Letting things happen naturally will make it easier for you to appreciate the small moments — even the imperfect ones. 

Find an Ally

If certain family members tend to get under your skin or wear on you, spend more of your time with the family members you really enjoy. Let them be your allies throughout your holiday get-togethers. 

When you know you have a support person (or two!) in the family, engagements become more enjoyable. You can open up to that person, immerse yourself in the holiday spirit, and know you have a safe place to turn to if other family members start bothering you. 

If you’ve been dreading the holidays for a while now because of family gatherings, take more control this year and understand that things can be different. Keep these tips in mind for dealing with family during the holidays and you’re likely to find more peace and enjoyment throughout the season. Learn about how anxiety therapy can help you this holiday season. Reach out to schedule an appointment.