CCnDocTalk_S1/E27_How to Keep Your Sanity During Family Holidays_12/23/2022_Audio Only

Do you love your family yet struggle with how to keep your sanity during family holidays? Family dynamics can be challenging even for the healthiest of families. Add to that the stress of these last few years of politics and pandemic, which have certainly stretched many family relationships thin, not to mention the crazy phenomenon of regression that occurs the moment you get back into your family unit (once the youngest always the youngest), and trying to accommodate so many different opinions, tastes, routines and desires into a seamless and peaceful gathering. One where you don’t go home saying, WTF?!? Or feel guilty until the next year’s vacay.
Our conversation is unscripted as always so here are our (aspirational) 8 TIPS for a more sane family holiday vacation in a nutshell:
1. DON’T discuss politics or religion for any reason and be ready to change the subject! We have shirts that say, “Proud Member of the Cocktail Party!” (Available in our CCnDoc Store). This kind of humor diffuses political conversations.
2. DO take time for yourself even if it’s hard to get away!
3. DO be flexible when you can!
4. DO practice mindfulness. Use an app like free Insight Timer to meditate each morning (even 5 minutes can help) before you greet the day and the family at the breakfast table. Eating is also a great time to be mindful. Enjoy every bite, by savoring and chewing your food well, and don’t let the table conversation affect your digestion.
5. DO give genuine compliments and validation freely!
6. DO say please and Thank You even for simple things.
7. DON’T make assumptions whenever possible. Be willing to broach difficult topics with love, compassion and/or humor when possible and seek to understand the other person’s perspective. Unless your opinions on the topic are too strong then…
8. CHOOSE your battles and KEEP YOUR OPINIONS TO YOURSELF! Ask yourself what winning this round is worth to you? How important is it if your sister-in-law loads the dishwasher the wrong way as long as the dishes get done and your brother isn’t pissed off at you for the next year?
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