Holiday Stress - Getting Together with Family

Getting together with family is something that most of us look forward to. Thanksgiving and Christmas are the biggest family holidays in the United States, but birthdays, Easter, anniversaries, and funerals are also times which bring extended families together. Other cultures have other traditions, but many cultures place an emphasis on the importance of family. Some families have annual "family reunions" which serve to reunite family members who are separated by miles.

These family times are dreaded by some because of the memories which they bring back. If you grow up in a family dominated by an alcoholic, a family get-together may serve as a reminder of all of the bad times you had together. If a family member was abusive toward you, then a "family time" may stir up feelings associated with the abuse. This can occur long after the abuser is dead.

Read on for tips to help you manage holiday stress.