The holidays can be a stressful time for families. The holidays may bring challenges with the addition responsibilities and costs. Here are some tips that can help you and your family plan manageable and meaningful celebrations:
- Set limits: Put your energies into the most important aspects of your holiday celebration, establish priorities for the season and celebrate the way you and your family find meaningful.
- Take charge and plan your celebrations: Remember the holiday cheer will not occur unless you make it happen.
- Accept that every holiday season will be different: Accept that each holiday season will be unique, enjoy your celebrations, and do not continually compare with past holidays.
- The expectations of others: Do not allow others to place expectations or responsibilities upon you that you do not want or need. Be open and explain that the needs of your family take priority.
- Care for yourself and your family: Take breaks; utilize places that comfort you when you need a break from the holiday responsibilities; schedule holiday events in a reasonable way that will not stress you and your family.
- The holidays can be stressful for many reasons: If you need support, talk it out, do not hold back, find a support group, counselor or clergy to help, there is no need to suffer on the sidelines.
- Celebrate in meaningful ways: Involve yourself/family in meaningful rituals, these may be religious/spiritual. You can create meaningful rituals for your family. These rituals help us define and structure our celebrations.
- Take one day at a time: This may sound simple but it is very important. Do not allow a difficult experience to ruin your entire holiday season. Work with the challenges and move on with the holiday priorities you have set for you and your family.