I recently wrote a guest post for the blog With the Huddlestons about the importance of good communication, and it seems the topic resonated with many of you. Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard from several readers asking for more suggestions about how to reduce family stress and promote healthy communication over the holiday season.
As reader ‘S’ explained it, “I love my family more than anything, but 72 hours with everyone in the same house and I’ve reached my limit! We’re all on each other’s nerves.”
And S is right; while extra time with family and friends during the holidays is often filled with joy, laughter, and fun, it can also lead to complications, short tempers, and misunderstandings.
Fortunately, there are some simple strategies that you can implement to improve communication and reduce family stress. Keep them on your radar, and you’ll be enjoying the “most wonderful time of the year” to its fullest extent.
How to Quickly Reduce Family Stress This Season: 5 Tested Tips
Practice Patience
‘Tis the season to be patient and kind.
Yes, I realize this is easier said than done, but I urge you to make the above statement your motto this season. You see, by simply repeating this mantra in your mind when you find yourself on edge, you will help cool your temper and return to a calmer mindset.
Really! It’s science.
As Psychology Today reports, repeating a single word or phrase to yourself “quiets the system responsible for your mind wandering, thinking about your past, or planning your future” and ultimately helps “calm your mind.”
So if you feel your frustration building, remind yourself that everyone has a reason for their actions, and usually that reason is well-intentioned.
It’s true; we’re all doing our best.
[bctt tweet=”Practice Patience. Remember, we’re all doing our best. #LessStress #CommunicationSkills #Patience ” username=”BusyBeingPaula”]
Find Common Ground
If you can feel the tension building, challenge yourself to find common ground with the other person.
As I mentioned above, we are all doing our best, and our actions are usually well-intentioned; actively search for that good intention.
If you’re butting heads with a family member about making plans, giving gifts, or where to spend the holidays, for example, remember that deep down, you’re both seeking a special, memorable holiday. You both want to provide a positive, joyful experience for your family.
By recognizing that common ground, you have a starting point from which you can both talk rationally about the situation. I promise you’ll have a much easier time striking a compromise upon which everyone can agree.
Practice Compromise
When you gather several different people together for an extended period of time, you’re bound to have some differing opinions, and that’s okay! In fact, it’s only natural.
The good news is that holidays are a great opportunity to practice compromise. As mentioned above, you’re all working toward a common goal, and if you can highlight that greater objective for everyone, people generally approach compromise with an open mind.
Looking for strategies to practice compromise? You got it!
Share the Choices:
If you’re debating what activity to pursue, have one person suggest the general activity and the other person choose the specifics.
For example, if I choose to go to the movies, you pick which film we’ll see. If you choose shopping, I select which mall we’ll attend, etc.
Split the Difference:
This compromise is especially helpful when deciding on topics concerning time. If you want to stay at the holiday party for four hours, and I only want to stay for two, we can split the difference and stay for three.
Take Turns:
If you get to make the decision this time, then it’s someone else’s turn the next time. Swap back and forth so everyone has a say.
Do it All!
Can’t decide whether you’ll go sledding or ice skating? Find a location that offers both and DO BOTH. While this suggestion doesn’t work for everything, there are often times when you can address the needs of all parties at least partially.
Take a Breather
Sometimes, the best thing you can do in a tense environment is to step away for a bit. If you’re in a situation that’s stressing you out or spiraling out of control, it might be time to take a break.
Head outside for a quick walk or go to a quiet space to meditate. Sometimes simply spending time in a different room and chatting about something unrelated will do the trick.
Once you’ve rediscovered your inner peace, you can return to the previous situation with more patience and understanding.
Practice Makes Perfect
If things don’t go well for one activity, don’t throw in the towel. Instead, begin each activity, conversation, and experience with a “fresh start.” Remember demonstrating patience, finding common ground, and striking a compromise all take practice, so keep working at it. If everyone makes an effort, you’ll be reducing family stress in no time.
Question
There you have it, friends! My top 5 tips to reduce family stress this holiday season. What are your favorite ways to reduce family stress? What are your holiday plans? How do you practice patience? Share your thoughts below!
I have 6 kids and homeschool and so I’m around my family 24/7. I use many of these tips, they truly do help to reduce family stress!
I am so glad to hear they work for you, too!
There are so many good tips in this post, but my favorite has to be “step away”. It’s okay to take a breather every so often.
It makes such a big difference, doesn’t it?
These are such great tips. I’ll have to remember to take a breather more often!
Yes! That makes such a big difference 🙂
It is such a stressful time of year, so I love these tips to stay grounded. I need to be better most of all about just stepping away for a bit and taking a breath.
Agreed, Leigh. It is SO important to find some quiet time for yourself 🙂
Christmas is time of joy and family togetherness but it is also accompanied by its own stressors. We all need access to some simple strategies that work to improve communication and reduce family stress. Practicing compromise is one of those time tested strategies that work all the time.
Yes, absolutely! Compromise is key 🙂
Thanks for the great tips. It’s so easy to be stressed this time of year!
I agree, Holly!
Love this! The holidays are always hectic so I appreciate these tips
I’m so glad to hear it, Brittany 🙂
This time of year can be so overwhelming and stressful! Thanks for the tips! I definitely need to remember to practice patience (definitely not one of my strengths).
It’s definitely a challenge, but it sure helps in the long run 🙂
I’m going to have to continuously chant, “PRACTICE PATIENCE!” next week when we’re driving across country to spend the holidays with the family! That’s for sure!
You got this!!
Such wonderful tips to beat the stress. I specially love the party tip. Going to implement that in all upcoming parties. Lol… My husband is going to be relieved.
Hooray! I am so glad to hear it 🙂
This time of year is def overwhelming! So much to do and not enough time and so much money gets spent. Hard not to be stressed but these tips are great and all a nice remember to breathe and take it easy.
Yes! It’s so important to take that breath, step back, and relax.
COmpromise is a big one for us! Love this so much!
Thanks, Ruthie!
I was just talking with my sibling today about how too much time with our parents over the holidays can lead to family tension. For us, taking some time to ourselves or out with friends seems to be the best stress reliever.
That sounds like great strategies, Erin!
These are such useful strategies. Things have been very politically charged at family get togethers lately, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. Rather than stay home, I need to find ways to make it through. 😀
Yes! The political climate makes it especially challenging, doesn’t it? I hope these strategies help!
These are great tips! Keeping them in mind over the next few weeks!
I’m so glad to hear it!
These are some amazing tips Paula! I feel like I need to get a t-shirt that says “practice patience” hahaha Also, I think family time helps! Like pyaling board games together in the evenings 🙂
Thanks, Gena! And that’s a great t-shirt idea! Or maybe a mug…hmmm…now my Etsy brain is going 🙂
Hahahaha I can’t stop laughing. Etsy brains hahaha
😂😂😂
Great tips! These will def come in handy especially during the holidays when it’s the most stressful! x
I’m so glad to hear it!
These are great and so helpful!! Thank you
You’re welcome!
Such great things to remember and practice! Like you say, some might be a little more difficult than others, but I’m sure they help diffuse tensions quite well!
Thanks, Patricia!
I’ve already encountered issues with my sister-in-law. I passed the buck to my aunt, who is the matriarch of the family now. We all respect her and what she says goes LOL!! Holidays are very different now since our step mom passed away. Nobody wants to get together and they don’t care about each other. It really is making me sad.
That is so hard, Deb. I am sorry to hear it 🙁
This is such a wise post. Theres not need to have stress during this time of year and you’ve given some great solutions to ensure that
Thanks, Karin!
i make sure to take some time to myself during the holiday season. it can definitely be a stressful time.
That is so important to do!
I always appreciate your perspective! We are big time home-bodies over the holidays but at times, it tests our patience a lot. One way we all get involved and try to practice that patience is by doing a gigantic family puzzle together. Everyone contributes throughout the week and amongst any bickering, etc, we have all created something together. It helps!
I absolutely love that idea, Jen! What a great way to work together 🙂
Honestly some great tips that have real impact. It’s important to know when to use each of these things. Every situation requires something different. Practicing all of them puts you at your best.
Absolutely! Thanks, Theresa 🙂
Man the holidays can be so hectic! Thanks for the good reminders!
Absolutely, Steph!
These are great tips; the holidays can be a stressful time. Taking a breather is a simple tip that can be implemented quickly.
I agree, Marissa!