Silly Season SURVIVAL!

How to avoid a family fallout this Christmas

Ah Christmas… the most wonderful time of the year – when words like ‘merry’ and ‘cheer’ enter our vocabulary, and everyone is on the hunt for the perfect present.

Yet, if your family has its share of annual traditions, outspoken relatives and family conflict, the festive season can quickly turn you into the Grinch.

According to clinical psychologist and Headspace app mental health expert Mary Spillane, tensions between family units can escalate as commitments pile up, the alcohol consumption increases, and spotlights shine on existing difficulties.

If you want to survive family Christmas without unwrapping a whole heap of drama, Spillane offers the following advice.

IF YOU WANT TO AVOID CONFLICT 

Dinner table conversations about vaccinations, sexuality or gender can highlight the moral disparities we have with people we consider our nearest and dearest.

Spillane says if you don’t want to get into the rabbit hole of trying to convince your family their opinions are not good, it’s best to avoid topics that you know cause tension.

“Christmas is a stressful time for everyone and may not be the best time to have a conflict,” she explains.