The holiday season is stressful in different ways for so many of us. Young people are not immune to this overscheduled, overwhelming time of year. From high school students to those in their mid-twenties, we all feel the pressure with too much to do and not enough time to do it. Combine this with family we don't always see, ever-present academics, and future looking pressures (think finals, college decisions, graduate school questions, and entering the job field) – it's a recipe for additional holiday stress. Here are some strategies to positively keep you and your young adults talking and building resilience during this time of year.
Make a family plan before social outings
How can your parents be helpful when relatives start asking too many or the wrong questions? The plan doesn't need to be written down or even set in stone, but I find the process of simply chatting about ‘what people could ask’ helps us feel less anxious when those questions arise. It's not mandatory to know what your future may look like or where you're going to school or what you might do after graduation. Simply saying "thanks for asking and I'm focused on being happy in this moment," or something similar, is enough. You can even add "but I'll keep everyone posted” if you want.
