Family Holiday Blues

Which role will you choose this Holiday attack or defense.

Two major holidays are approaching us quickly "Thanksgiving and Christmas".  This is the time of year that many families are excited and can't wait to attend but dread all the family drama.  So you may say, "what drama?"  Many relatives have sibling rivalries and family blow outs during this time of year.  So the question stands, "why?"  Many experience the Family Holiday Blues.  Holiday Blues can cause depression, especially if you are suffering from bottled up stress that you have been stuffing all year long. Before even showing up for the family gathering many are already in attack and defense mode waiting on drama to start.  This should be a time of happiness, not a time of gossiping, dreading whose going to walk in the door next, worried about who cooked what or who brought what.  Rather than having fun and enjoying each other, we can sometimes turn this special time with our loved ones into chaos.  This can be very stressful and unhealthy. This is why it is so important not to stuff your issues that you have with a loved one but deal with it head on prior to the holidays.  If you have waited until the day of the holiday to deal with it you are looking for trouble.  Below are some tips for a Peaceful Holiday......
Arrange your plans for the day early
Attempt to work out any unsolved issues prior to the holiday with relatives
If unable to work out unsolved issues try to avoid conflict
Leave Alcohol alone because it is a known depressant
Focus on the good times and not the bad
Keep negative and sarcastic comments to yourself (many are already in defense mode)
Enjoy your day and let no one spoil it for you.......

Written By: Chikeitha Owens LPC
Abundance of Hope Counseling