Christmas with the family? 4 tips to stay zen!
If the holidays are synonymous with reunion with your family, they can also be sources of tension! To approach the Christmas meal as serenely as possible, without spoiling the party by uncle René or your mother-in-law Thérèse, here are some valuable tips.
Take some time for yourself
To not start the festivities by being tired, stressed or angry, give yourself a moment of relaxation . Take a nap, relax in a hot bath, or do some relaxation exercises: close your eyes, inhale, exhale ... You should already feel better!
Avoid addressing certain topics
Politics, religion, money, ... Beware of annoying topics! At Christmas, it's an opportunity to share a good meal together, not to start discussing differences of opinion .
If your brother-in-law insists on wanting to know your political ideologies, take it upon yourself and avoid answering it, just tell him it's not the place or the time to discuss it.
Bet on humor
In case of crisis, nothing like humor to defuse a situation. Faced with possible remarks and judgments of some members of your family, try to get away with lightness, bringing a response that makes you smile . Seeing that you do not feel like answering them or entering their game, they should stop boring you.
Likewise, if you know in advance that your cousin will, as every year, chamber you on a particular subject, you can prepare some verbal pirouettes. Seeing that you come out with ease, it will be less comical for him to tease you.
Organize activities
Between the dishes, plan breaks and propose to all your family, from the smallest to the largest, to take part in an animation : board games , jokes, songs, photos to watch, etc. Everything is good to bring a moment of relaxation and laughter between two lively discussions!