The holiday season can be a wonderful time of year with the change in weather, families getting together, and the feelings of anticipation and excitement.  Although these times can bring joy, it can also be a time of stress and anxiety.  Statistics show that domestic dispute and violence rises during the holiday season and this can cause painful experiences and memories for the entire family.

Here are a few tips to help make this year’s holiday season a positive memorable one:

• Take time for yourself each day to do something you enjoy.
• If you feel tension building, take a walk or get some sort of exercise.
• Limit spending to what you can afford.  Talk to your partner and together agree ahead of time how mush you will spend and what the money will be spent on.
• Realize others may also be feeling stressed – remember patience and understanding.
• Realize children tend to get wound up and excited during this time – remember tolerance and appropriate boundary setting.
• Take a time out.  Relax and sort through your thoughts before discussing an important topic.
• Communicate with each other by listening as well as expressing personal feelings.