6 christmas anger and stress statistics that will shock you
December 13, 2019
Why women can’t help but get angry during the holidays
December 24, 2019
Perhaps, the most incredibly stressful aspect of Christmas time is knowing how chaotic it will be to have your entire family in one home for your annual Christmas festivities.
Although every year typically ends in happiness, joy, and fond memories, the preparation for and during the event tends to be filled with countless stress and anger trigger points sure to set even the most mild-mannered individuals even.
Fortunately, not every Christmas family gathering needs to be stressful and aggressive. Instead, by simply handling this stress as it comes along in a proper manner, you can enjoy all the pros of family time without being overwhelmed by the cons.
Assess the Triggers and Prepare for Them
The first thing you should do when dealing with family-based stress is to assess the triggers in your personal life. For instance, if criticism of your job or your religious beliefs irritates you, these are the things you will want to focus on using personal growth programs most before the holidays. In doing so, you can be prepared for any statement and handle them accordingly.
Look to your Supportive Family Members for Strength
Pretty much everyone has heard the song ‘Lean on Me’ by Bill Withers at some point. In the song, he says, “We all need somebody to lean on.” The truth is that while your family may be your stress point, there are still some family members and close friends that will be the perfect support system for the Holiday season.
By talking with them and working through your problems with someone you can trust, you will be able to keep calm and sort out your anger and stress well before your family even arrives.
Make a List of Everything You’ve Accomplished This Year
Let’s be honest for a moment; some family members simply love to tear others down. This can range from questioning your life choices and goals all the way to your family and friends.
However, the best way to counteract this negativity is to simply remember all that you have accomplished that year and beyond. To do this, create a list of every major accomplishment that has happened to you throughout this year. It can be things as big as getting married or things as small as finishing a good book. No matter what the list consists of, any time you feel insignificant, simply look to the list in order to center yourself once more.
Don’t put Yourself in an Abusive Environment Just to Feel Included
Another major mistake that far too many people make each year is putting themselves in a room of people that hurt them only to feel included in a family environment. If your family doesn't respect you, there is no reason to go to such events.
Something that many people become engulfed in is the concept that family is everything. However, according to Deborah Schurman-Kauflin Ph.D. of Psychology Today, “If it makes you unhappy to see your family, then you don’t have to see them. You don’t have to ruin your holidays to make an abuser happy. You need to make yourself happy. You have permission to do that. Take control from your abuser and live a happy life. If your happiness doesn’t involve seeing your family then so be it.”
Reach out to a Local Anger and Stress Management Specialist
Finally, when everything else doesn’t seem to be working or when you could use that extra bit of help, don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional anger and stress management specialist today. At Breakthrough Innovative Group, we deal with these kinds of cases daily and are always happy to help! For more information, give us a call today!
