The holidays are a great time to connect with family and friends. Unfortunately, for many people, the holidays can bring stress, frustration, and exhaustion. To keep from falling into this trap, I have listed some things you can do to connect with your family during this holiday season.
- Commit time to be with your family – It seems obvious, yet it is one of the things that we often forget to do. Many people commit time to the tasks of the holidays but fail to block out time to be with family. Dedicate time to be with your family this holiday season and don’t let extraneous factors get in the way.
- Commit the energy to be with your family – It isn’t enough to just be in the same house with your family. You also have to give them your attention and focus. Work to be fully present with your family and give them the best of you, rather than giving them the leftovers.
- Be in the moment – Block out the noise of work, school, finances, etc. Enjoyment happens in the moments you have with them, not in the thoughts of the past or the worries of the future.
- Make the connections more important than the events – Does it really matter that everything is perfect? Most of the things we stress over during the holidays are a distraction from being able to fully connect with family. Let go of the stressors and make connecting with family your priority.
- Turn off the worries – Worries always involve the future, while the enjoyment and meaningful connections always happen in the moment. Let go of the worries.
- Create meaningful traditions – You don’t have to keep doing old traditions if they no longer are meaningful. Create new traditions that allow you to have enjoyable interactions with those people who matter most to you.
- Seek time to play together – The expression that a family that plays together stays together is often true. Having fun as a family is a great way to create lasting connections.
- Listen to each person – Take time to listen to each person within the family. Everyone has their own interests, activities, thoughts, and feelings. Let them know that you are interested in them by listening to what they are interested in.
- Manage expectations – Not all expectations are realistic. It is important to manage your own expectations as well as the expectations of others. There will be less conflict and disappointment if you do.
- Don’t take things too seriously – If you want to ruin the mood of the room, take everything seriously and demand perfection. However, if you want to make it easier to connect, learn to let go and relax.
- Be flexible – Nothing ever goes exactly as planned. Be flexible and adapt to unexpected changes.
- Don’t overcommit – If you overcommit, you will be stressed and everyone around you will pay a price for it. Make the pace of the holidays manageable so that you can enjoy time with your family.
- Laugh together – Laughter can be a powerful way to bond as a family. Embrace laughter and lightheartedness.
New Dimensions Wishes You A Happy Holidays
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the above symptoms or problems, New Dimensions can help. Our team of experienced therapists and psychiatrists can help you overcome these challenges and help you develop the skills you need to thrive. To schedule a complementary assessment or to find out more about our programs, contact us at 1-800-685-9796.
Our affiliate, MHThrive, provides Individual Therapy, Couples and Marriage Counseling, and Family Therapy at our locations in Katy, The Woodlands, and the Clear Lake area of Houston, Texas. We also provide telehealth therapy for anyone who resides within the State of Texas. To schedule an appointment with one of the MHThrive therapists, contact us at 713-477-0333 or visit www.mhthrive.com to learn more.