Ah, the seasonal chaos, right? It can be a lot to handle. It might even take a toll on your marriage. 

 

Doug Hinderer gives you the scoop from the Gottman Institute on how to stress-proof your relationship so you and your spouse can focus on joy, peace, and... oh yeah: Jesus, the real reason for the season. Check out the whole hour!

 

Takeaways for a Stress-Proof Christmas Marriage

 

 Team Up Against the Holiday Madness

 

Christmas Chaos Reality Check: All the shopping, cleaning, hosting, and decorating? Stress city. But Doug Hinderer points out this stress isn't God's plan: it's the devil sowing discord. Your mission? Become a united team and crush that chaos. 🙌

 

Make a Plan: Sit down with your spouse, list out every task, and assign responsibilities. Use three columns: “You,” “Me,” and “Us.” Don’t forget to include time for spiritual preparation like lighting the Advent wreath or praying together. 🙏

 

 Balance, Don’t Keep Score

 

Avoid the Trap: Trying to split everything “perfectly” leads to resentment. Instead, aim for balanced responsibilities that feel fair to both of you.

 

Support Over Scorekeeping: Be ready to adjust if your spouse feels overwhelmed. Pick up the slack, not the grudges.

 

Check In Daily

 

Take 10–15 minutes each day to invest in your marriage. Ask your spouse how they’re doing, without trying to fix everything. Listen, make eye contact, and empathize. 👂👀💖

 

💡 Practical Tips for a Peaceful Christmas

 

Stress-Reducing Conversations

 

Share what’s bothering you about life outside the marriage. (No “you didn’t load the dishwasher right” arguments here!)

 

Practice active listening: Ask open-ended questions, make eye contact, and express empathy. Example: “That must feel really hard. What can I do to support you?”

 

Show Gratitude Daily

 

Compliments and “thank-yous” go a long way. Notice the small stuff: like wrapping gifts or taking out the trash and say it out loud. Bonus points for leaving sweet notes. 📝💕

 

Limit Fix-It Mode (Especially for Husbands)

 

Spouses often just want to be heard: not given solutions. Fight the urge to solve every problem and instead focus on validating their feelings.

 

Prioritize Prayer and Peace

 

Protect time for spiritual preparation. Whether it’s an Advent wreath, Scripture reading, or just quiet time to reflect, don’t let the busyness crowd out Jesus.

 

 

🎁 Your Marriage Matters More Than the Perfect Holiday

 

Doug reminds you: Christmas will pass, but your marriage is for keeps. Make this season about connection, joy, and shared faith, not just surviving the stress.

 

Advent Challenge: Say one specific thank-you to your spouse every day. It’s a small habit that builds big love. ❤️✨

 

 

💡 Feeling overwhelmed? Start small. Light the Advent wreath tonight, pray together, and remember: God is with you! 

Ah, the seasonal chaos, right? It can be a lot to handle. It might even take a toll on your marriage.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Doug Hinderer gives you the scoop from the Gottman Institute on how to&nbsp;stress-proof your relationship so you and your spouse can focus on joy, peace, and... oh yeah: Jesus, the&nbsp;real reason for the season. Check out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/2024/12/stress-proof-marriage-at-christmas/">the whole hour</a>!
&nbsp;
Takeaways for a Stress-Proof Christmas Marriage
&nbsp;
&nbsp;Team Up Against the Holiday Madness
&nbsp;
Christmas Chaos Reality Check: All the shopping, cleaning, hosting, and decorating? Stress city. But Doug Hinderer points out this stress isn't God's plan: it's the devil sowing discord. Your mission?&nbsp;Become a united team and crush that chaos. 🙌
&nbsp;
Make a Plan: Sit down with your spouse, list out every task, and assign responsibilities. Use three columns: &ldquo;You,&rdquo; &ldquo;Me,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Us.&rdquo; Don&rsquo;t forget to include time for spiritual preparation like lighting the Advent wreath or praying together. 🙏
&nbsp;
&nbsp;Balance, Don&rsquo;t Keep Score
&nbsp;
Avoid the Trap: Trying to split everything &ldquo;perfectly&rdquo; leads to resentment. Instead, aim for balanced responsibilities that feel fair to both of you.
&nbsp;
Support Over Scorekeeping: Be ready to adjust if your spouse feels overwhelmed. Pick up the slack, not the grudges.
&nbsp;
Check In Daily
&nbsp;
Take 10&ndash;15 minutes each day to&nbsp;invest in your marriage. Ask your spouse how they&rsquo;re doing, without trying to fix everything. Listen, make eye contact, and empathize. 👂👀💖
&nbsp;
💡 Practical Tips for a Peaceful Christmas
&nbsp;
Stress-Reducing Conversations
&nbsp;
Share what&rsquo;s bothering you about life&nbsp;outside the marriage. (No &ldquo;you didn&rsquo;t load the dishwasher right&rdquo; arguments here!)
&nbsp;
Practice&nbsp;active listening: Ask open-ended questions, make eye contact, and express empathy. Example: &ldquo;That must feel really hard. What can I do to support you?&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Show Gratitude Daily
&nbsp;
Compliments and &ldquo;thank-yous&rdquo; go a long way. Notice the small stuff: like wrapping gifts or taking out the trash and say it out loud. Bonus points for leaving sweet notes. 📝💕
&nbsp;
Limit Fix-It Mode (Especially for Husbands)
&nbsp;
Spouses often just want to be heard: not given solutions. Fight the urge to solve every problem and instead focus on validating their feelings.
&nbsp;
Prioritize Prayer and Peace
&nbsp;
Protect time for spiritual preparation. Whether it&rsquo;s an Advent wreath, Scripture reading, or just quiet time to reflect,&nbsp;don&rsquo;t let the busyness crowd out Jesus.
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
🎁&nbsp;Your Marriage Matters More Than the Perfect Holiday
&nbsp;
Doug reminds you: Christmas will pass, but your marriage is for keeps. Make this season about&nbsp;connection, joy, and shared faith, not just surviving the stress.
&nbsp;
Advent Challenge: Say one specific thank-you to your spouse every day. It&rsquo;s a small habit that builds big love. ❤️✨
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
💡 Feeling overwhelmed? Start small. Light the Advent wreath tonight, pray together, and remember: God is with you!&nbsp;

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.