may bring you a migraine instead.
What wonders in front of your eyes should appear, should an uncle or aunt ruin Christmas … or New Year's.
Dr. Kale Kirkland of the Kirkland and King Clinical and Forensic Psychologists Clinic in Montgomery, AL, says there are more constructive ways to handle the stress of our family - God love them - than fussing, fighting and hitting the spirits.
The American Psychological Association also has weighed in multiple times on the topic, most recently saying that those who are nostalgic about the holidays seem to weather the holidays slightly better than the rest of us.
When their cheeks are all rosy and their noses like cherries, it means too much egg nog's to blame for their merry.
Some of the biggest irritants at the holidays are the very things that are supposed to bring us joy: Gifts and kids.
"I think my dad is Scrooge," Julie Richard said. "He acts worse than a baby. You cannot get him anything that he is happy with. Even if he tells you exactly what to get and you get it, he is still not happy. I will keep a smile on my face because I feel Christmas is [about] seeing the smiles on the children's faces, not the grandparents."
Now, Andrew! Now, Timmy! Now, Becky and Kristen! Where is your mother, and why won't you listen?
"How about [when someone] falls asleep while their kids are awake and running around the house," Matthew Greenlee said. "Ask me to watch your kids. Don't assume we all want the responsibility."
Some people have relatives that can cause such a clatter. But others have ways to deal with the matter.
Kirkland recommends people focus on their own behavior when dealing with an annoying family member.
"You don't have control over what other family members are going to do, be able to acknowledge that and accept that for what it is," Kirkland said.
Also, when there were differences or conflicts going on, leave it until after the celebration.
"The whole family is getting together trying to have a good time," Kirkland said. "It is worth it to go ahead and set aside those differences. If you need to work something out, wait until the appropriate time and try to enjoy the holidays with your other family members.
Many people's idea of "making it through" the holidays is to dive into the liquor cabinet early and often. But Kirkland recommends keeping alcohol out of an already combustible equation.
"I think the excessive drinking, overeating and a lot of unnecessary family conflict are pretty common problems this time of year," he said.
Sometimes the source of stress is the season itself: The dullness of winter days, the gray skies and too much time indoors.
Kirkland said at this time of year, it is common for people to develop seasonal depression, known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. Even those who typically do not suffer from it can be vulnerable for one reason or another.
The treatment of choice has been to spend more time outdoors in the sunlight, stay active and be social.
In addition to the financial stresses that could come in preparation of the holidays, he said some stress could arise from the changes that take place within families as time passes. New traditions have to be put into place and people must find new ways to enjoy time with one another.
"I think typically people have a lot of expectations about what the holidays are supposed to be for them, particularly when you're dealing with families," Kirkland said. "You have traditions that might have been in place for many years. As families grow and change over time, those traditions start to change and have to change. I think that adjustment is hard for people."
The cousins can come and cause chaos, so careless. Yet ‘tis always better to have some self awareness.
"Some members of my family drive me crazy all year round," Becky Benton said. "But I'm sure I drive them crazy, also."
So, remember your manners and to treat them all right, for you may come to miss them when they're all out of sight.
"My family lives out of state so I don't have to deal with those shenanigans anymore, but now that I don't, I almost miss it," Britt Adas said. "We only got together for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, etc. So even though there was drama, it was kind of entertaining for the time being."
What wonders in front of your eyes should appear, should an uncle or aunt ruin Christmas … or New Year's.
Dr. Kale Kirkland of the Kirkland and King Clinical and Forensic Psychologists Clinic in Montgomery, AL, says there are more constructive ways to handle the stress of our family - God love them - than fussing, fighting and hitting the spirits.
The American Psychological Association also has weighed in multiple times on the topic, most recently saying that those who are nostalgic about the holidays seem to weather the holidays slightly better than the rest of us.
When their cheeks are all rosy and their noses like cherries, it means too much egg nog's to blame for their merry.
Some of the biggest irritants at the holidays are the very things that are supposed to bring us joy: Gifts and kids.
"I think my dad is Scrooge," Julie Richard said. "He acts worse than a baby. You cannot get him anything that he is happy with. Even if he tells you exactly what to get and you get it, he is still not happy. I will keep a smile on my face because I feel Christmas is [about] seeing the smiles on the children's faces, not the grandparents."
Now, Andrew! Now, Timmy! Now, Becky and Kristen! Where is your mother, and why won't you listen?
"How about [when someone] falls asleep while their kids are awake and running around the house," Matthew Greenlee said. "Ask me to watch your kids. Don't assume we all want the responsibility."
Some people have relatives that can cause such a clatter. But others have ways to deal with the matter.
Kirkland recommends people focus on their own behavior when dealing with an annoying family member.
"You don't have control over what other family members are going to do, be able to acknowledge that and accept that for what it is," Kirkland said.
Also, when there were differences or conflicts going on, leave it until after the celebration.
"The whole family is getting together trying to have a good time," Kirkland said. "It is worth it to go ahead and set aside those differences. If you need to work something out, wait until the appropriate time and try to enjoy the holidays with your other family members.
Many people's idea of "making it through" the holidays is to dive into the liquor cabinet early and often. But Kirkland recommends keeping alcohol out of an already combustible equation.
"I think the excessive drinking, overeating and a lot of unnecessary family conflict are pretty common problems this time of year," he said.
Sometimes the source of stress is the season itself: The dullness of winter days, the gray skies and too much time indoors.
Kirkland said at this time of year, it is common for people to develop seasonal depression, known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. Even those who typically do not suffer from it can be vulnerable for one reason or another.
The treatment of choice has been to spend more time outdoors in the sunlight, stay active and be social.
In addition to the financial stresses that could come in preparation of the holidays, he said some stress could arise from the changes that take place within families as time passes. New traditions have to be put into place and people must find new ways to enjoy time with one another.
"I think typically people have a lot of expectations about what the holidays are supposed to be for them, particularly when you're dealing with families," Kirkland said. "You have traditions that might have been in place for many years. As families grow and change over time, those traditions start to change and have to change. I think that adjustment is hard for people."
The cousins can come and cause chaos, so careless. Yet ‘tis always better to have some self awareness.
"Some members of my family drive me crazy all year round," Becky Benton said. "But I'm sure I drive them crazy, also."
So, remember your manners and to treat them all right, for you may come to miss them when they're all out of sight.
"My family lives out of state so I don't have to deal with those shenanigans anymore, but now that I don't, I almost miss it," Britt Adas said. "We only got together for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, etc. So even though there was drama, it was kind of entertaining for the time being."
RSS Feed