Finding Family Time This Season
Posted on: January 15, 2018Categories: LiveWell 24/7
We look forward to the holidays year after year, and spend a lot of money, time and energy in preparation. While the holidays can be a joyful time, they can also be stressful and disruptive, and can create rifts among family members. Try to let the stress of the holidays go, and fill your season with energy and family-bonding. Check out these tips:
- Create a Family Ritual: Find an exercise class for the whole family, gift wrap together, or head to a light display in your area as a fun new holiday ritual.
- Take a Night Off: Schedule a night when the whole family can sit down to a meal or holiday movie, without the distraction of work, school or cell phones. Even choose a movie that you could start watching together every holiday season.
- Add Exercise to Every Gathering: It’s a cold time of the year, so we tend to stay inside, but try to add physical activity to your family-bonding, through hikes, ice skating, sledding, or any other activity. Spending time outdoors has been shown to reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels.
- Say Thank-You: Studies have shown that gratitude is linked to higher levels of well-being. Take turns saying what you are thankful for at meals or when giving gifts.
- Shift Away from the Food Focus: Spend time with family away from food and drinks, whether it be playing board games or shopping.
- Reflect: You may be spending time with family members you haven’t seen all year, so take time to learn about what has gone on in their lives this year.
- Set Goals: Set goals as a family for tasks you want to accomplish, as well as actions you want to be held accountable for. Each year, try to add a goal that can be accomplished by the whole group.
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