Setting boundaries with family during the holidays

Things can escalate quickly.

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HELLO, FRIEND Q How do you set boundaries to protect your mental health, especially during the holidays? A "I live 2+ hours away from my family, so when I get overwhelmed from the drama or stress, it's not like I can just easily leave and go home. They know by now that I need to take breaks away from everyone and everything to decompress sometimes, so I'll go upstairs and sit in a quiet room to chill out by myself when things get too much. I also don't sleep over — I'll just visit for the day, spend a few hours with everyone, then drive back home at the end of the night." — Morgan Mandriota, newsletter editor "I try to set my boundaries ahead of time — if I'm staying for a short time, if there are certain family members I refuse to be around, if I'll be bringing my own food, etc. And I try to remember that 'no' is a complete sentence." — Ren Dias, editor "If I can, I'll find a room where I can be alone. Otherwise, I'll usually keep to myself and fall into the background. My family isn't that big, but it's big enough that I can become a wallflower if needed. I'll also spend quality time with the dogs, volunteering to take them out or walk them." — Sarah Matysiak, associate editor "My family has a few banned conversation topics, so if things get too heated, bringing up that we're not supposed to talk about X subject usually helps bring everyone back down." — Sarah Choi, engagement editor If you'd like to request a specific topic, offer feedback, or chime in with your answers to our weekly questions, feel free to email us at newsletters@healthline.com. We look forward to connecting with you and supporting you on the path to mental well-being. TRY THIS Don't Forget About Your Diet Take care of your mind by getting the right balance of nutritious foods. Learn more about what you can do to optimize your nutrition. Learn more MORE RESOURCES Find support for your journey Finding a therapist has never been easier Search by specialty, condition, or location to match with a mental health professional who meets your needs. Find care Browse our mental health marketplace Explore our top picks for products, apps, and other tools that can help you manage anxiety and depression symptoms. Shop now READ THIS We picked these articles just for you What Are the Signs Your Body Is Releasing Trauma? Read more > Effective Coping Techniques for Anxiety Read more > 6 Best Herbal Supplements for Depression Read more > Agoraphobia vs. Social Anxiety: How Are They Different? Read more > Shop products Get care Shipping info View in browser Unsubscribe Privacy policy We may feature your messages to our inbox within our content. Please do not provide any personal identifiable information. Replies may be edited for length and clarity. For more, see our Privacy Policy. Healthline, Optum Now, and their respective logo(s) are trademarks of RVO Health, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © ‌2025‌ RVO Health, LLC. All Rights Reserved. ‌1101‌ Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC, ‌29707 ‌