5 tips to cope with family stress
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the stress level in your family? You may be experiencing significant stress, such as: financial problems, job loss, child’s learning issues, mental or physical health problems, family communication issues, deployment, divorce, separation, loss, etc.
Here are 5 tips to cope with family stress:
1) Have a family meal together – you may be thinking you’ve heard that line before but it’s just too bothersome. If you want to communicate more with your family, you must make time to talk. If you have no family meals together in a week, aim for at least one. If you have a few family meals together, try to add an additional one. Also, keep the topics at the table light at first.
2) Do something fun! If I asked several of my patients what “doing something fun” meant – it would range from going to an amusement park every day to playing video games to playing a board game at home with their family (yes, some families still play board games). So be prepared that what your family wants to do for fun may be impractical for the moment, but feel free to offer them more practical suggestions.
3) Utilize “me time” – Force yourself to take a few minutes a day for “me time” so you can be a more effective to your children, partner, and/or extended family members. Everyone always says “I’m too busy for ‘me time’ ”, but you have to force yourself to find the time. Even if you only take five minutes for yourself, it’s important to find that time and take it. After all, you deserve it.
4) Remember to have a good support network. Research has often shown the importance of a good support network on our well-being. A supportive network can include virtually anyone who is positive and empowering to you, including but not limited to: family, friends, co-workers,individuals at a place of worship, neighbors, etc.
5) Express your gratitude! There is likely someone in your family to whom you need to say a simple “thank you” – this may be your partner, child, mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, etc. Find the time to express your gratitude for the positive role they are playing in your life. Perhaps they can help you to also work on coping with your family stressors.
One of the most amazing parts of being a psychologist is watching families change, learn healthy communication habits, and be vibrant and happy again. Although there is no “magic solution” for working through family stress, please try a few of the tips above to start your journey into healing. Sometimes the “simplest” solutions are the best ones.
Until next time, hug a family member and be well!
Dr. Hammond