Bonding over Celebrations

Bonding over Celebrations
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Highlights

Stress, anxiety, and depression are common during the festive season.

Stress, anxiety, and depression are common during the festive season. If nothing else, reassure yourself that these feelings are normal. Stress reduction strategies include:

Set your expectations realistically. If certain family members bicker all year long, they will probably do so at Christmas too.

♦ Avoid known triggers. For example, if politics is a touchy subject in your family, don't talk about it. If someone brings up the topic, use distraction and quickly move on to something else to talk about.

♦ Use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or focusing on your breath to cope with anxiety or tension.

♦ Family members involved in after-lunch activities (such as cricket on the back lawn) are less likely to get into arguments. Plan for something to do as a group after lunch if necessary.

♦ People under stress tend to 'self-medicate' with alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs. Try to remember that drugs can't solve problems or alleviate stress in the long term.

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