The holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience. By learning how to deal with difficult or challenging family members, you can cut down on a lot of the anxiety of the holidays.

There are always those family members who may be difficult to deal with. Remember to have realistic expectations, or maybe even no expectations. Accept those people for who they are. This will make you happier and them happier!
The holidays are not the time to have a confrontation. Avoid talking about “hot topics”. If there is a subject that needs to be addressed, talk about it after the holidays. If you feel like you need more help, talk to a respected confidant or counselor about family issues and how to deal with them. You can brainstorm with them or even try some role-playing. 
If you would like more tips on how to survive the holidays, read my previous blog posts on this topic. Merry Christmas!

The holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience. If you are spending the holidays alone, but would prefer not to, there are ways to remedy the situation.

Try volunteering at soup kitchens, children’s homes, group homes, or facilities for the elderly. These are groups that often feel lonely during the holidays. These people will appreciate you, you’ll feel better about yourself and you’ll have great company!
Come back tomorrow for another tip on how to survive the holidays and check out my previous posts.

The holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience. During the holidays, its especially important to keep connected with family and friends who value you for who you are. 

These are people who can give you a reality check and can keep you grounded. Its important to have people in your life than can tell you if you are spinning out of control or taking too much on. It may not be easy to hear, but these are people who truly care about you and have your best interests at heart. So spend some quality time with them during the holidays.
Come back each day to get more tips for how to survive the holidays and read my previous posts!

The holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience. ​The best gift you can give yourself is some much needed rest. 

You know how much sleep you need in order to feel rested. If you are under times of stress, you may need a little more sleep. In general, you need at least 7 hours of good sleep a night to feel regenerated. So go to bed early enough tonight to get as much sleep as you need!
​Come back daily to  get more tips on how to survive the holidays!

The holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience. Exercise is a great way to handle stress during the holiday season.

Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. An easy way to do this is to take a 10-15 minute walk after every meal. Plus walking eases digestion and helps moderate blood sugar, so its especially helpful if you have over-indulged! (To learn more, read this blog.) If you have a gym class you like to take or enjoy yoga, those are great stress-busters as well! Getting this release through exercise is sanity saving!
Keeping coming back for more tips on how to survive the holidays!

The holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience.

Try to keep to your normal routine as much as possible. Keep attending normal meetings, Bible studies, etc. If you normally spend time with friends, your spouse, or your children, make sure you keep those appointments. Keep those things that are a priority the rest of the year, a priority during the holidays.

As much as possible, continue to eat as healthfully as you can. Think moderation – try not to eat or drink too much. A plant-based diet helps keep you energized and your immunity up. Try to keep sugar and unhealthy fats to a minimum. If you are at a party, try to eat more healthy appetizers, such as veggies and hummus or fruit before you eat more unhealthy options that are full of sugar and unhealthy fats. You don't have to completely abstain from treats during the holidays, but remember to enjoy them in moderation!
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Come back every day for more tips on how to survive the holidays!

The holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience. You may feel that you need to reach for more eggnog or wine to deal with your depressed or sad feelings during the holidays. 

This is actually the worst thing you can do if you are feeling this way. When you drink alcohol, you are trying to treat depression with a depressant! Eating too much and drinking may seem like they make you feel better, but it usually results in feelings of guilt. Plus, you usually have a hangover to deal with that makes you feel even worse! Try to deal with your holiday emotions by using something healthier than alcohol. You can always see a therapist if it is something bigger than you can handle alone!

​Come back each day for more tips on how to survive the holidays!

The holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience. As you prepare for the holidays remember what we are celebrating. It has little to do with large dinners, big parties, being perfect, and buying lots of gifts. 

​The true reason for the holiday is to acknowledge the greatest gift humanity has ever been given. It is a time to spend in quality time with family and friends, counting the blessings we already have. It is also a time to spend doing good for others we love and for those who are less fortunate than us. 
Keep coming back for more tips on how to survive the holidays!

The holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience. Don’t spend a lot of time thinking about past holidays and comparing them to now.   As times change, loved ones pass on or move away, traditions change, and that’s okay. Focus on the now, not the past.

Sometimes when you go home for the holidays or spend time with family, it’s easy to get sucked into old patterns. Do you ever feel like you are a teenager again when you go home? If you find yourself falling into patterns you would rather not repeat, take a moment to yourself and remember who you are now and all the growth that has occurred since then. If there is someone at the family gathering that know the “you” you are now, spend some time with them to ground yourself.

Keep coming back for more tips on how to survive the holidays!

The holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to always be “on”. You don’t have to pretend to be excited when you’re not. This doesn’t mean you should act like the Grinch, but its perfectly acceptable to tell people you are tired or under the weather if they notice your lack of enthusiasm. Try not to overanalyze your interactions with others and throw guilt out the window.

Keep coming back to this blog for daily tips on how to survive the holidays.