Cass

It might mean just taking some quiet breaks here and there throughout the day.

Or if you really know that there's a well-worn path when you get together with certain family members,

You could decide ahead of time how much time you're going to spend in certain situations.

So I don't know, you might say, I'm only going to go for half a day and then we're out of there.

It's really about what works for you.

And also, if something feels too much, it's okay to withdraw.

Stepping away is not failure, it's self-respect.

Money stress at this time of year can add another layer of tension.

We already have a rising cost of living in most nations.

Then add on top of that trying to find the perfect gift for everyone and the pressure to show your love through your spending.

It can end up feeling overwhelming.

But remember, you don't need to buy a perfect holiday.

Things like thoughtful gestures or just being present with someone, quality time and that connection, these things matter far more than the price tag.

Something else I wanted to touch on, and I shared a post about it recently on social media, is loneliness.

It's a reality for many people during the festive season, whether you're spending it alone or if you're separated from family or you're simply feeling disconnected from people in your life.

If you're already feeling lonely then this time of year can really exacerbate that feeling.

It can stir up old memories, old feelings and it does impact your health.

Loneliness is not good for our well-being.

We as humans are wired for social connection so it can be really hard for a lot of people.

It's important to recognize that loneliness is a normal human experience at different points in time.