Here are my 10 Steps to Survive the Holidays in Peace.
- Remember the reason for the season. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas or something else remember the miracles associated with your celebration.
- Don’t impose your expectations on other people. Aunt Leah’s latkes or Uncle Anthony’s cranberry sauce won’t be identical to yours and that’s ok. Try to just accept and be grateful for their efforts.
- Take time out to go for a walk and breathe in the fresh air. Being in nature will help to calm you down.
- If you are someone else’s house, offer help. If they say they don’t need help, be very patient. They might be too stressed to think how you can be of help.
- If you have holiday visitors to your own house, ask for help, even if you think you don’t need it. When we do things together it helps with bonding. It also empowers people to know they can be of some use.
- Spend some time alone reading, meditating or praying. Making this a daily practice will significantly affect how you feel.
- Journal about your feelings. Expressing yourself in writing will help you process your emotions.
- Communicate in a healthy way, without criticism or aggression. Just say what emotion you are feeling and ask for what you need.
- Don’t play the victim. Because the truth is you are responsible for yourself and how you are feeling. So take responsibility for yourself and make healthy choices.
- Set boundaries and gently communicate them so that people know where they stand.
I hope you find these 10 Steps to Survive the Holidays in Peace helpful. In the interests of surviving the holidays in peace, I will be slowing down for the next two weeks, so I will take this opportunity to wish you all Blessed and Peaceful Holidays. See you in the New Year!
