Vital KC

You know the topics to avoid at dinner parties. Politics, religion, and money. Always remember, politics is at the top of the list. Especially in our current climate, politics can be a minefield at any gathering.

If the election damaged personal relationships, or if you are determined to avoid political talk at the Thanksgiving dinner table, University Health psychologist Abbey Gripka, PhD., has advice for you.

“Our relationships can get easily strained when it comes to politics and differences of opinion,” said Dr. Gripka. “A lot of times what we need to do is remind ourselves about other parts of that person in order to keep up that relationship.”

If you’re invited to a social gathering this holiday season where the political talk flows as freely as the egg nog, Dr. Gripka offers these tips:

1. Set a timer. Give yourself a time limit for the visit and have an exit plan.
2. Practice, practice, practice. Come prepared with at least three timely topics you know to be non-controversial (and for your friends’ sake, try to keep it entertaining).

And if it’s the time in front of a screen, rather than at a party, that gets you worked up about politics you might want to set a time limit for how long you watch or read the news. Dr. Gripka also recommends not reading upsetting news at night. “Do something more relaxing and soothing before lying down your head,” said Dr. Gripka.

That’s advice on which we can all agree. We’ll talk more as we get closer to 2024.