Christmas and the end of year holiday season can hold different meanings for different families. For some it’s a time of religious significance and spiritual reflection. Others cherish it as a time for coming together, sharing meals and creating memories.
Some families are able to revel in the joy of gift-giving, transforming their homes with decorations and festive cheer. However, for many the holidays can also evoke stress, feelings of loneliness or financial pressure.
In this episode, host Alicia Ranford talks with psychologist Dr Angie Willcocks about navigating the holiday season and finding ways to make it work for you and your family.
Content warning: This podcast includes mentions of alcohol use, anxiety and aggressive behaviour. If listening to this podcast brings up any difficult feelings for you, please seek help from your mental health professional or one of these crisis or support services.
In this episode, you will learn:
- about ways to balance embracing holiday traditions and managing the stresses that can arise this time of year [03:47]
- ways you can communicate with children about expectations and pressures that can come up around Christmas time [05:57]
- strategies to establish and maintain healthy boundaries with family and friends and to look after yourself [06:55]
- ways to support those around you who have mental health difficulties and find this time of year challenging [14:08]; and
- how you can create new traditions to make the holidays more meaningful and personal to you and your family. [29:31]
Further information and resources:
Supporting children’s connections in tough times