Christmas can be a source of joy, but for many it also brings stress and family tensions. Experts offer advice on how to navigate the festive season without falling out with loved ones.
Plan breaks in your schedule. If staying with difficult family members for several days, find ways to politely excuse yourself, suggests therapist Katie Rose. Go for a walk, visit friends or book a museum trip. Tamara Hoyton from Relate recommends offering to cook to get away from the living room.
Practise grounding exercises to stay calm. Counsellor Georgina Sturmer suggests the 5-4-3-2-1 technique: notice five things you can see, four you can feel, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. This helps you stay present and reduces anxiety.
Prepare safe topics and avoid contentious ones like politics or parenting. Lucy Blake, a psychology lecturer, suggests having phrases ready to redirect conversations or simply say, 'I find this a difficult topic to talk about'. Bring a silly game to distract, like trivia cards, and avoid controversial games like Cards Against Humanity.
Gather a support network – a friend to vent to or a family ally with a code word to rescue you. Fill your own cup with self-care: nourishing food, limited alcohol, and exercise. Manage expectations by recalling past interactions; fewer than a quarter of family relationships are ideal, so accept limitations.
