TomLaForce.com

With Thanksgiving coming up at the end of this week and all the holiday celebrations that occur at the end of December, you might find your stress levels starting to rise. So what strategies can you use to make the holidays a more comfortable experience for everyone?  Try some of these tried and true techniques.

• Stay away from the touchy subjects.  If there isn’t a compelling reason for you to share your political beliefs with all the relatives, then don’t do it.  Likewise, if someone tries to share them with you, don’t take the bait.
• Ask yourself whether you would rather be right or would rather be kind. Work extra hard to choose kindness.
• Consider what kind of holiday you wish to have.  Imagine what success looks like and then develop a plan for achieving it.
• Lighten up.  Tight quarters, a couple glasses of holiday cheer, and family history often combine to create a tense situation.  You might not be able to control what happens, but you can control your reaction.  Take it as it is.  Enjoy yourself.
• Manage your stress.  If things start getting under your skin, it might be a perfect time for a walk outside in order to decompress a bit.  Get a good night’s rest and go easy on all the eating and drinking.  You’ll feel better and be better able to cope with what comes your way.
• Set your expectations appropriately.  You know how these gatherings often turn out.  Thinking it’s going to be different this year is probably a mistake.  Believing it’s going to turn out like a Hallmark made-for-TV movie will lead to disappointment.

Happy holidays everyone.  Enjoy your celebrations.

Photo by StarMama