"If you're going to stay with somebody for three or four days, find ways to politely give yourself a break. Go for lunch with friends who live locally, or book a ticket to a museum or a National Trust place so that you have ways of getting yourself out of the house. Tamara Hoyton, a senior practitioner for Relate at Family Action, agrees that scheduling breaks is a good strategy."
"Practise staying grounded If we are coping with difficult situations and conversations, it's important to stay grounded and present, so that our thoughts and feelings don't spiral, says BACP-registered counsellor Georgina Sturmer. Practise grounding exercises in advance, so you can use them in tricky moments. Sturmer recommends the 5-4-3-2-1 technique. Notice five things you can see, four things you can feel, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste, she says."
Plan regular breaks during visits with difficult family members by arranging outings, meals with friends, museum trips, or offering to cook to remove yourself from tense shared spaces. Practice grounding techniques like the 5-4-3-2-1 method ahead of time to stay present and reduce spiraling thoughts and anxiety. Prepare safe conversation topics and identify triggers to avoid, plus ready phrases to redirect or exit uncomfortable interactions. Schedule activities that give physical distance and set clear boundaries to protect emotional wellbeing during multi-day stays.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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