For some, Thanksgiving is the
best holiday of the year. Extroverts who enjoy being around people often thrive
during holiday parties and while shopping. Introverts may get overwhelmed with
all the commotion. People with ADHD or anxiety can experience difficulty
dealing with so many activities. Even when you take anxiety
medication
adults may still need grace and a safe place through the day.
Here are some tips to help everyone in your family have fun.
Communicate Openly With Each Other
A little bit of talking goes a
long way when dealing with stress and anxiety at the holidays. We can’t always
control how the relatives will act or the details of the day, but we can talk
about what we need and how we can deal with different situations. Knowing that
you have each other’s backs when one of you is nervous about spending time with
the family can help you manage the stress before the day.
Support Each Other Emotionally
Talking it out lets you support
each other emotionally. Children may just need to know that their parents are
okay with them walking away or doing something quiet when the rest of the
family is playing outside. Although you can use a natural
anxiety medication for children, validation of their needs is important,
too. Having a plan for when things get out of hand can help those with anxiety
and stress manage their emotions better, too.
Give Each Other Space
Even the most extroverted
people often just need a few minutes to regroup and be alone. Give yourself (or
your children or spouse) permission to take a break if things become too
intense. Find another room. Take a walk with your favorite human or canine.
Retreat is always an option, a healthy one at that. Even just going to the
restroom for a few minutes of peace and quiet can help someone recenter and
regroup to handle a few more minutes of craziness on Thanksgiving. Avoid
judging your family members for doing what they need to do to enjoy the
holiday.Role Play Situations
Practice dealing with different
situations to get better at handling the types of situations that make you
stressful. What do you say when someone makes snarky comments? How do you
handle it when someone doesn’t like it when you just walk away from the fray?
Learning to respond with grace doesn’t come easy for most of us, especially
when we’re stressed or anxious. Learning to say, “that’s enough, can we talk
about something else?” is a great response, but in the heat of the moment, it
can be difficult to remember.
Remember the Reason For the Season
Thanksgiving is about gratitude
and family. It can help to remember why you get together through the holidays
to celebrate. Every family has its own stressors. Learning to manage your own
stress and anxiety is a skill that will help you in other situations. Start
taking the best
ADHD medication for child with anxiety now to give your children a head
start on reducing their own anxiety.
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