Tips For Reuniting With Family With Different Pandemic Beliefs

CHARLOTTE, NC — The holidays are sometimes challenging without the addition of polarizing topics, but there are ways to have a peaceful and rewarding gathering without the drama.

Mindfulness expert Dipal Shah, founder of Ananda 4 Life, lives and works in North Carolina and says the way to solve conflict is through setting boundaries in advance to avoid it altogether. For instance, if your family members have differing views on COVID-19 or vaccines, set table rules before dinner.

"Do not discuss the pandemic. If someone brings up the pandemic change the topic, or better yet let the family know before hand that this will not be a topic on the menu for the gathering," advises Shah.

It can also be overwhelming to reunite with family and friends after a year-and-a-half apart, so she says listening to your body will help you know when you need a break.

"Notice how you feel during the gathering. If you get too tired quickly you may need to get some fresh air since the chattering and excitement can be overwhelming after the limited social interaction, leaving you tired," said Shah. She advises explaining that you just need a quick break, and family and friends will understand. Alone time can recharge a person.

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Most of all, Shah advises going into Thanksgiving with a positive attitude and encouraging others to do the same. "Positive emotions that are created through one simple gesture of gratitude has a ripple effect. When one person feels good they will make others feel good," said Shah.

By avoiding tough topics and focusing on togetherness and positive experiences, she says you can create lasting happy memories.

4 Tips To Show Gratitude:

1) Go around the table and have each person say what they're grateful for.

2) Write blessings on slips of paper, place them in a jar and read the blessings each person has for others before the meal. You can also write what you're grateful for and do the same thing.

3) Have a family member who can't make it? Call and tell that loved one how you feel, which fosters emotional well-being.

4) Complete an act of gratitude. Scientists have found that a one-time act of thoughtful gratitude produced an immediate increase in happiness and reduction in depressive symptoms, Shah says. This can be as simple as bringing a small gift to the host of Thanksgiving dinner.