
How to cope with Christmas
'Tis the season to be jolly, but Christmas might be far from jolly for you. It’s the time when we might need coping skills more than any other time.
Here are some tips on how to get through it all in the best possible shape.
- Make a budget and stick to it. You can still have a nice time without cracking the credit card.
- If there are stressful, 'prickly' family occasions you don't absolutely have to go to, don't! And ...
- ... it might be hard to say no, but you can do it (see How to say NO).
- If you do decide to go to a difficult family get-together, be as positive as you can about it. Don’t nag and whinge at yourself – you’ll get through it, and who knows, you might even enjoy it.
- Be proactive - prepare by using good self-talk leading up to the event.
For example, "I know Uncle Fred might bring up that old button-pusher, but I can cope, I'll ignore it. The more he pushes it, the more I'll ignore it. I'll keep my cool. It's only for a few hours anyway."