How to Deal With Family Stress

The holidays are rapidly approaching, which means that many of us will be around a lot of family members. Whether you see your family often or once a year, they can be the cause of stress for any number of reasons. While you may love your family dearly, it’s important to know how to deal with family stress so that you can stay calm and enjoy the holiday season.

Continue reading today’s post for our best tips on dealing with family stress, and contact La Experience Thai & Swedish Massage in San Antonio to learn about the variety of massage therapy options we offer. Schedule your personal day of relaxation at our massage spa today!

Take Time for Yourself

This tip may seem obvious, but in the midst of dealing with all the chaos of extra family members, you might forget that it’s okay to excuse yourself so that you can recharge. Whether you need to take a walk, go for a drive, or sit in the relative silence of a library, find something that will help you calm down, recharge, and feel more like yourself.

Practice Deep Breathing

If you find that you are beginning to feel stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, then stop what you’re doing to focus on some deep breathing. If you’ve never done this before, there are a variety of videos online that will walk you through some brief breathing exercises to help calm your mind and body.

Get Plenty of Sleep

This may be easier said than done, but it is important, especially when you’re stressed, to get as much rest as you can. If falling asleep is not the easiest thing for you to do, then consider taking some melatonin, which is readily available over the counter, and is something that your body produces naturally. If your body isn’t producing enough melatonin, then your brain isn’t getting the signals it needs to wind down and rest for the night.

Reflect on and Acknowledge Your Emotions

It’s important to take some time to sit down and identify whatever it is that you’re feeling. Noticing your emotions allows you to spend time evaluating why you feel the way you do and how to best resolve them. Perhaps you are overreacting to a situation and simply need to remove yourself from it. Other times, you may need to talk with the person who hurt your feelings.

Use Your Support System

When you are surrounded by family, it may seem odd to think about using your support system since that’s what family should be. Keep in mind, however, that if family is the cause of your stress, then you absolutely need to have support from a third party. Whether you rely on your neighbor, coworker, or other close friends, remember to talk with them when you’re feeling stressed.

Focus on Your Health

It is very easy to turn to unhealthy options when you feel stress. Whether you overindulge in sweets, alcohol, or another substance, it’s important to make sure that you are not using unhealthy means to cope with your stress. Once your family is gone and your schedule is back to normal, you may feel frustrated with the weight you’ve gained, the habits you formed, and more.

Schedule a Therapeutic Massage Session

One of the best ways to accomplish a number of these suggestions all at once is to schedule a massage therapy appointment. Not only will you have time to yourself, you’ll be in a quiet room with soothing sounds and relaxing scents. Your massage therapist can address whatever muscles you’d prefer so that you can leave feeling more relaxed and refreshed than when you walked in.

At La Experience Thai & Swedish Massage in San Antonio, we would love to provide the massage therapy that you need. Contact us today to learn about the various services we offer, and book your massage spa appointment today!