4 Tips that will Help Codependent Relationships During the Holidays

Etel Leit

How to Set Healthy Boundaries During the Holidays

The holidays can be challenging for many, especially those trying to recover from Codependency. Most of the issues you are trying to recover from are often more present during holidays. Whether your codependent relationship is with alcohol, a toxic family member, or a romantic relationship, holidays give you more reasons to get back to them.

At this time of the year, you can easily slip into your old relationship because you feel lonely, or you remember your last year’s holiday memories with that person, and it makes you miss them. Or you can feel responsible for other people’s happiness and not want them to feel lonely, and it gives you a reason to reach out to them other than thinking of your own needs.

Then there are all the parties, shopping, and social commitment that can cause so much social and financial pressure on you. Holidays can make it so hard to stick to your daily routine, whether it’s doing workouts, saving money, or drinking less alcohol. So, you often make holidays an excuse for your unhealthy choices. Unfortunately, sacrificing your own mental or physical health routine can be easy during these times.r physical health routine can be easy during these times.

Here are a few essential tips on how to set boundaries:

Remain in control of yourself: Remain in control of yourself and stop trying to control anyone else. Don’t feel forced to go somewhere that you know it’s not in your best interest or hang out with people that you know are not good for you.
It’s okay to say no: Have a schedule for your holidays and stick to it. You don’t have to say yes to others to please them. Saying yes to others when you genuinely don’t mean it just gives you anxiety and anger. At this time, you must remind yourself that you can’t make everyone happy, and the most important obligation that you have is toward yourself.
Accept people for who they are: Like how you should be the only one with control over your life, accept people for who they are and try not to change them. The same goes if you have a friend or family member with certain behavior like drinking too much at a holiday party that doesn’t please you.
Surround yourself with a support system. It is important that during this time, have your support system and keep yourself busy with people or things that you like. Whether it is a workout session, watching your favorite show, or spending quality time with your loved ones. Call a friend or coworker that likes you for who you are and doesn’t want to change you. This can make you loved and less lonely.

If you mIf you make time to take care of yourself, do what makes you happy, make yourself a priority and act according to your own beliefs, you will be able to set boundaries to protect yourself and your relationships. This helps with your recovery from Codependency and genuinely celebrating the spirit and meaning of the season. Keep reminding yourself that if you can maintain your healthy boundaries, your life will continue to change for the better, and the quality of your relationships will increase.