The Season for trouble?

In the edition of the Sunday Telegraph on the 13th of January 2008 page 9, it was reported that the Christmas and New Year period divorce rates surge. During this period more than 10,000 start divorce proceedings, while NSW accounts for 3000 within the national figure. During hard times and with the compounding stress of Christmas, arguments arise. While we are thinking about others and trying to organize events, time is at the forefront of the concerns. Thus when things do not go the way you want them to go, stress level peak.

Individuals start blaming their partner and accuse them of not doing something, or not following orders, so that the events go off with success. The arguments that follow cause family breakdown, stress, and depression. It is reported that counsellors are flooded with calls at this time. While in homes statistics show that there is a 157 percent rise in domestic violence in NSW.

It is suggested that during the Christmas and New Year period couples look for alternative options in the way they deal with stress, as family breakdown does not solve any long-term problems. It is recommended that one fights to reconcile the relationship even when it may look hopeless.

One thing to focus on now is the way we look at this Christmas and New Year period. For instance we have a mental picture that Christmas MUST turn out like the way we see things to be on the movies and TV shows. To be sure that is not a reality, and when our own life does not fit that stereotype, we feel - let down, sad, stressed, depressed, and angry. Emotional flooding of these emotions overwhelms the individual, causing the person to lash out at the ones they love.

If you are at risk of these emotions, I suggest that you start calming down, enjoy the errors of planning, because those are situation you will look back at and laugh at. Also if stress gets a bit much, go for a walk, forget what is wrong and clear your mind. Walking is a great way to be with nature and time to think about what is important. You and your family. The things that are NOT important are having the meal on time, the house being in the best presentation, and whether the children are noisy.

If problems persist talk to Ripple Affect.