Even for the calmest, most centered individuals, the holidays can bring stress. Getting together with those we love, while rewarding, can also get tense for many different reasons. If you struggle with handling holiday family stress, keep the following tips in mind.

Let Go of the Past

For many of us, the stress we feel around the holidays is tied to events in the past. We remember what went wrong last year and those memories leave us feeling tense and anxious over what is coming. However, the past will not always repeat itself, and holding onto past events stops us from approaching the holidays with a clean slate.

Make a Schedule that Works for You

Another common source of stress during the holiday season is feeling overwhelmed by family. While you love them and miss them, spending all day, or even multiple days, with them can become overwhelming. It is okay to take time for yourself and your nuclear family during the holidays. Make a schedule that works for you, one that balances you time with the extended family and the time you spend at home. 

Avoid Topics of Contention

There are differences of opinion in every family. While it might feel like censorship, the healthiest option is often to declare these topics off the table during holiday celebrations. Those who want to debate are welcome to have those debates another time. And if you family doesn’t want to ban certain topics, you can still choose to avoid them for yourself. 

Make New Traditions

If the traditions you have been observing have too many memories and stress attached to them, do not be afraid to make new traditions. This can be a vacation rather than a Christmas meal, a special movie you watch every year, or just driving around and looking at the lights. These new traditions can become incredible memories for your own children