It’s that time of year; the holidays are here! With the holidays usually comes joy and excitement…and also stress and sadness. It is very normal to feel more stress during this time of year. However, as we prepare for holidays, this year we are trudging through unchartered waters due to this global pandemic. Who knew that we would have to manage the usual stress of the holidays ON TOP OF a pandemic? Stress is usually temporary and comes in waves. What we have been feeling over the last twelve months has been an incredible amount of changes, adapting and disappointments. How are you handling your holiday stress during this pandemic?
I don’t know about you, but this pandemic is starting to feel like Groundhog Day! I wake up, spend my days indoors, stick to the same daily routine, go to work (from inside my house), go to bed, and do it ALL over again! I’m itching for change and normalcy and missing places and people. I’ve noticed the ups and downs of my emotions as we have transitioned from season to season. I have learned that I feel balanced when I have time-away from the house. It helps me to re-charge and ground my thoughts and feelings. It’s amazing how a 20-30 minute commute to work can really boost your spirits! This has been lacking is times of recently, and I have had to find creative outlets to stay uplifted.
So, what do the holidays mean in the context of a global pandemic?
Who knows, exactly; we are all navigating this together and figuring it out. There are no one size fits all solutions, but there are remedies to this uncertainty. The CDC recommends that we take care of ourselves by not attending large gatherings and time with friends/family outside of your house. This goes directly against how we perceive holidays; a time of togetherness and connection. For many of us, we are used to visiting multiple houses and balancing as much time with each sides of the family. This year will look very different and for many, this brings up great sadness and disappointment.
Many have lost loved ones to the virus, in addition to the loss of jobs. Additionally, couples are dealing with the end of a relationship and divorce and separation. This means that for many, we are grieving and feeling a roller coaster of emotions. We grieve the way life was before this pandemic and all that has been lost since. Not to mention we are counting down the days for normalcy to return!
How to cope with the challenges of holiday stress during a pandemic:
Acknowledge and validate our feelings! For many, we are grieving these changes, and it is natural to feel anger sadness, disconnection, and bargaining for the way things once were. Once we allow ourselves to feel, we can commit to doing something that enables us to feel better. Enable empathy: “It makes sense that I feel this way, I’ve gone through a lot!”
Stay connected virtually! These days, technology is the source of connection. This allows us to remain connected to each other, embracing the support that we have. We can make others a part of the celebration of the holidays virtually!
Volunteer and focus on ways to contribute to helping others. Giving to others in turn helps us to feel satisfied and fulfilled. That helps us to have a positive mind-set and can uplift our mood and spirits.
Mindfulness and relaxation activities – meditation, journaling, reading, deep breathing, puzzles and board games.
Adjusting Expectations- When we fight against changes, we feel an internal battle happening and it is exhausting! Envision that the holiday will look different this year and embrace new traditions and opportunities.
Know your limitations– Be willing to set boundaries for what you cannot tolerate and say “no.” Decline requests that go against your values and sense of safety. Give yourself permission to prioritize you, even if that may disappoint loved ones.
Promote a positive routine of self-care; physical activity, healthy sleep habits, and eating habits. In times of uncertainty and a major shift in routine, it can feel like survival. When there is consistency in our routine, we thrive. This can be displayed in maintaining a healthy lifestyle that helps us to adjust to a new routine.
Remain positive in knowing that this pandemic WILL end. Embrace this as an opportunity to self-reflect and focus on needs for growth, while looking forward to returning to normalcy! We wish you the best in handling your holiday stress this year! We will get through this together!
Post written by: Michelle Wernberg, MA, LPC
Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash