Reduce Stress When Dealing with Difficult Family Members During the Holidays
Here are a few tips on how to reduce stress during the holidays if you think you might be dealing with someone who has a personality disorder:
The holiday season brings family and friends together, but it can often bring unnecessary drama with family members. Who can push your buttons more than anyone? People who have known you the majority of your life. Being open, honest, and loving is your best approach to handling the situation unless you deal with someone who has a personality disorder. People with personality disorders have a particular way of thinking and behaving that is inflexible, which usually leads to sabotaging relationships with others. Here are a few tips on how to reduce stress during the holidays if you think you might be dealing with someone who has a personality disorder:
1. Replenish your relationship- schedule a coffee or dinner date with your partner. This way, you can nurture each other and feel like you are not alone in the situation.
2. Don’t get pulled into an argument. It’s a lose-lose situation. If they are controlling and manipulative, you’re just setting yourself up to get hurt.
3. Exercise- take a brisk walk outside to clear your mind. This is like pushing your inner reset button to remain calm in stressful situations.
And if it gets out of hand, you may need to consider setting up more boundaries around how much interaction you have with this family member.