Do No Harm
If your family tests your empathy skills, triggers futile attempts at mindreading and challenges your capacity to let go, focus on minimizing harm to yourself and others. Stick to moderate drinking (one to two drinks in any 24-hour period). Get enough sleep so you have energy reserves for patience and self-control. Eat something nutritious every four to five hours to keep crankiness at bay and prevent overeating. Allow extra time for errands and shopping to avoid irritability with traffic and crowds.
Every year bloggers and journalists write about holiday stress, and every year tempers flare, fights erupt and resentments build. Lonely people feel even lonelier at this time of year, as their brain responds differently to social occasions, perceiving conflict before joy. Lend patience and care to the lonely, sick and those in chronic pain. Because after the gifts are opened, the good-byes are said, and the decorations are put back into their boxes, you will want to be found innocent of all crimes of the heart this holiday season.
