Tips on Coping with Family During the Holidays

Facial gestures, tone of voice, or certain statements from someone in your family can provoke activation of your ‘fight or flight’ response (sympathetic nervous system and this state will dictate the type of behaviors and thought patterns that will follow. Building awareness of your physiological state, such as ‘fight or flight’, can be key in bringing in coping mechanisms to ease family or relationship tension, stress and disagreements. We have some tips to help ground your nervous system so that you can soften the discomfort and still enjoy time with family.