Whether youre hosting a big family get-together or visiting - TopicsExpress

Whether youre hosting a big family get-together or visiting other family members, the Thanksgiving holiday can be a time of stress and tension. Even your best-laid plans can fall apart in the face of last-minute problems or heated arguments between family members. So what can you do to minimize your stress and help ease tensions during the holiday? The first step is to have realistic expectations. If you are aiming for perfection, you are bound to find yourself frustrated and angry when things inevitably fall short. This doesnt just include your expectations of the meal itself, but also of how other people behave during their visit. If your Great-Aunt Edna always complains about something, dont be surprised when she starts issuing criticisms. Instead, focus on keeping your own spirits high and setting the tone for how the mood should be during the holiday season. You might not be able to change your Aunts behavior, but you can still keep your own mood upbeat. Dont forget to enlist the help of others. Ask family members to assist you in planning, setting up, cooking, or other important duties. If necessary, ask a few trusted family members to help you run interference between other guests who might not get along. If you need some more tips on how to manage holiday stress, be sure to check out these great ideas from Abouts Stress Management site: How to Handle Family Conflict Ways to Resolve Family Conflicts How to Deal with Difficult People Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!