{"id":20913,"date":"2023-12-04T14:56:29","date_gmt":"2023-12-04T20:56:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/compasshealthnetwork.org\/?p=20913"},"modified":"2023-12-04T15:17:49","modified_gmt":"2023-12-04T21:17:49","slug":"25-days-of-ways-to-deal-with-family-dynamics-around-the-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/compasshealthnetwork.org\/25-days-of-ways-to-deal-with-family-dynamics-around-the-holidays\/","title":{"rendered":"25 Days of Ways to Deal with Family Dynamics Around the Holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"20913\" class=\"elementor elementor-20913\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-24822b6 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-items-bottom elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"24822b6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-776f70d5\" data-id=\"776f70d5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2055016e elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2055016e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">25 Days of Ways to Deal with Family Dynamics Around the Holidays<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-985c87d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"985c87d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4fe2c31\" data-id=\"4fe2c31\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6f5a2b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f6f5a2b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The countdown to the holidays has begun! And while it may be the most wonderful time of year, family dynamics can also make it the most stressful time of year.<\/p><p>What is family dynamics? If you&#8217;re looking at a basic<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK560487\/#:~:text=Family%20dynamics%20refers%20to%20the,of%20relationship%20security%20or%20stress.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> family dynamics definition<\/a>, it&#8217;s about the interactions and factors that shape them with relatives. However, knowing the family dynamics meaning isn&#8217;t enough.<\/p><p>From healthy to narcissistic family dynamics, it can be a challenge during the holidays for anyone. Keep reading for tips on how to deal with your family this holiday season.<\/p><h3>December 1-5: Don&#8217;t Burn Out<\/h3><p>As December begins, calendars quickly fill up. It&#8217;s crucial to prioritize gatherings so you don&#8217;t burn out faster than chestnuts roasting over an open fire.<\/p><p>Here are a few things to remember as the party and open house invitations begin to roll in:<\/p><ul><li>Remember it&#8217;s okay to say <em><strong>no<\/strong><\/em>.<\/li><li>Know when to say <strong><em>no<\/em><\/strong>.<\/li><li><em><strong>Turn off your phone<\/strong><\/em> if you&#8217;re tempted to cave into the pressure.<\/li><li><em><strong>Don&#8217;t let <a href=\"https:\/\/compasshealthnetwork.org\/how-social-media-affects-mental-health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">social media<\/a><\/strong><\/em> overwhelm you.<\/li><li><strong>Talk to your therapist<\/strong> about setting and maintaining boundaries.<\/li><\/ul><h3>December 6-10: Can Someone Make Those Drummers Stop Drumming?<\/h3><p>The music and lights around the holidays can quickly become overwhelming for people with sensory issues. Know how to protect yourself before enjoying Christmas lights with your family.<\/p><ul><li>March to the beat of your own drum! (Noise-canceling headphones with music that relaxes you).<\/li><li>Be the cool kid with sunglasses. (Block out excessive light).<\/li><li>Practice self-calming exercises and remember that routine exercise dramatically helps with managing stress. (mindfulness, coloring, fidget toys, etc.).<\/li><li>Santa doesn&#8217;t come unless you&#8217;re asleep. (get enough sleep).<\/li><li>Find a safe space and take a break!<\/li><\/ul><h3>December 11-15: Know When to Stay and When to Go\u2026<\/h3><p>The weather outside may be frightful, but knowing when to go is essential, even if it is snowing. Time to yourself is as vital as time with friends and family (think of it as a gift to yourself)!<\/p><ul><li>Take a walk (but don&#8217;t get run over by a reindeer).<\/li><li>Make a craft (make your own decorations and ornaments).<\/li><li>Read a book (or take a nap while pretending to read a book).<\/li><li>Treat yourself to a coffee date (peppermint mocha, anyone).<\/li><li>Spend time journaling (write what you are feeling, it\u2019s therapeutic).<\/li><\/ul><h3>December 16-20: Holiday Party Woes<\/h3><p>Eating cookies and candy may be fun, but it also may encourage you to overindulge if you have social anxiety.<\/p><ul><li>Drink decaf peppermint mocha (cut down on the caffeine).<\/li><li>Challenge yourself to face your fears (even if you must wear an ugly sweater).<\/li><li>Reframe your thoughts (think of your happy place rather than consuming excess sugar).<\/li><li>We won&#8217;t tell anyone (hide in a safe space to take a break).<\/li><li>Keep your mind and hands busy (cooking, football, games, etc.).<\/li><\/ul><h3>December 21-25: Embrace the Days the Best You Can!<\/h3><p>Do they know it&#8217;s Christmas time at all?<\/p><ul><li>Avoid controversial topics (politics are a no-no).<\/li><li>Set a time limit on visits (it\u2019s less stressful if you know what time you will leave).<\/li><li>Don&#8217;t deny your feelings (even if it&#8217;s a <a href=\"https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/depression\/tips-to-cope-with-holiday-depression\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Blue Christmas<\/a>, do you have a professional that you can talk to)?<\/li><li>Protect your holiday (choose to spend it with just your immediate family).<\/li><\/ul><h3>Conquer Challenging Family Dynamics<\/h3><p>Family dynamics can be a challenge during the holidays. <a href=\"https:\/\/compasshealthnetwork.org\/behavioral-health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">We&#8217;re here to help<\/a>.<\/p><p>At Compass Health Network, we believe in moving beyond health to a wellness lifestyle. We&#8217;re committed to meeting the unique needs of our community. <a href=\"https:\/\/compasshealthnetwork.org\/contact\/\">Contact us<\/a> to get started with mental health services.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The countdown to the holidays has begun! And while it may be the most wonderful time of year, family dynamics can also make it the most stressful time of year. What is family dynamics? If you&#8217;re looking at a basic family dynamics definition, it&#8217;s about the interactions and factors that shape them with relatives. However, <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/compasshealthnetwork.org\/25-days-of-ways-to-deal-with-family-dynamics-around-the-holidays\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20917,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-behavioral-health-newsroom"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-02 06:47:50","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/compasshealthnetwork.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20913","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/compasshealthnetwork.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/compasshealthnetwork.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/compasshealthnetwork.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/compasshealthnetwork.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20913"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/compasshealthnetwork.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20913\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20931,"href":"https:\/\/compasshealthnetwork.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20913\/revisions\/20931"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/compasshealthnetwork.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20917"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/compasshealthnetwork.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/compasshealthnetwork.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/compasshealthnetwork.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}