How to survive during a family feast on New Year’s Eve

Ideally, the New Year should bring only joyful emotions. But sometimes at the festive table we meet with not the most pleasant people — old conflicts flare up, difficult discussions begin … And just anything happens. There are 7 ways to protect yourself from negative experiences and keep a joyful New Year mood.

1. Do not give in to provocations

Some people use the feast to settle old scores. For example, they begin to make sharp comments and ask unpleasant questions — in a word, they try by all means to piss you off. If this has already happened in past years, be prepared for the fact that the provocation will happen again. Keep calm and don’t give in. And decide in advance how you will react. 

2. Do not abuse alcohol

At the festive table it is very easy to forget about the sense of proportion and drink too much. And excessive alcohol consumption, of course, significantly increases the risk of conflicts and showdowns. Keep track of how much you have already drunk, and try to stop in time.

3. Pause

If one of the guests starts to provoke you and you feel like you can’t help it, try to silently count to ten. This exercise can be further «complicated» — for example, by counting in a foreign language.

4. Just observe 

Try to develop what psychologists call an “observing ego.” What does it mean? You need to observe the situation as if from the outside, as if you are watching a movie. This helps not to waste unnecessary emotions during controversial situations.

5. Take a break

During the feast, it is useful to periodically take a short walk. If the weather permits, of course. But there are other ways to relax and calm down. You can babysit for a while or help other family members with cooking, washing dishes, and other holiday chores. Any excuse will do to take a short break from socializing with people who get on your nerves.

6. Don’t Think in Momentary Problems

Yes, we would like to have an idyllic New Year’s Eve. To make everything fun, cozy and sincere. But in reality, unfortunately, it can go quite differently. Remember the main thing: you will have to be with these people for only a few hours, then you will return to your usual life again. Your task is simply to survive this time without serious scandals and a showdown. Don’t expect too much from your holiday feasts and you won’t be disappointed.

7. Don’t Forget Gratitude

No matter how stressful relationships with relatives cause, on New Year’s Eve it is especially important to be grateful to life for everything that we have. The feeling of gratitude is a powerful tool that helps us not to slide into the abyss of negative experiences.

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