Making the Holidays Manageable…Ways to Reduce Stress During the Holidays.
The holidays can be a stressful time for families. The holidays this year may bring challenges with the addition of taking safety measures for COVID-19. Here are some tips that can help you and your family plan safe manageable and meaningful celebrations.
Set limits: Put your energies into the most important aspects of your holiday celebration, establish priorities for the season that are safe and celebrate the way you and your family find meaningful.
Take charge and plan your safe celebrations: Remember the holiday cheer will not occur unless you make it happen.
Accept that every holiday season will be different: This holiday season is unique due to COVID-19. Accept that each holiday season will be unique, enjoy your celebrations, and do not continually compare with past holidays.
The expectations of others: Do not allow others to place expectations, risks or responsibilities upon you that you do not want or need. Think about how to keep your family safe, be open and explain that the needs of your family take priority.
Care for yourself and your family: Take breaks; utilize places that comfort you when you need a break from the holiday responsibilities; schedule holiday events in a reasonable way that are safe and will not stress you and your family.
The holidays can be stressful for many reasons: If you need support, talk it out, do not hold back, help is available virtually, so you can get help in a safe way. You can find a virtual support group, counselor or clergy who can help you via a virtual platform, there is no need to avoid help and suffer on the sidelines.
Celebrate in meaningful ways: Involve yourself/family in safe meaningful rituals, these may be religious/spiritual. You can create meaningful rituals for your family. These rituals help us define and structure our celebrations even in challenging times.
Take one day at a time: This may sound simple but it is very important. Do not allow a difficult experience to ruin your entire holiday season. Work with the challenges and move on with the holiday priorities you have set for you and your family.
We at the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County, Inc. wish you and your family a safe and wonderful Holiday Season.