With COVID-19 cases on the rise and recommendations from the CDC that make holiday gatherings feel daunting, the holidays are going to look rather different this year. Certainly, we’re all thinking twice about large gatherings and travel differently.
While it may seem impossible to find some connection this season, as it has this year, it’s important that you get creative and set your sights on a different, but still delightful holiday season.
1. Use technology to feel less alone.
If you have to be physically separated from friends and family during the holidays (traveling long distances is not recommended by the CDC), using technology, such as video chat, phone calls and text messages, can help bring everyone together and ease feelings of isolation.
There are many social media and videoconferencing platforms, such as Zoom, FaceTime, Skype and WhatsApp. Choose the one you like best and select a time during the holidays to connect with everyone for a chat, board game or other festive activity.
With video chats, you can even expand your circle by inviting distant relatives and friends from all over the world into the holiday fold. There’s no limit to whom you can catch up with!
2. Seek company to beat the holiday blues.
Even without a pandemic, the holidays can stir feelings of anxiety or depression. Unrealistic expectations, sentimental memories, loss of a loved one or even less sunlight/Seasonal Affected Disorder during this time of year can trigger holiday blues. Try to stay as social as possible by safely spending time with caring, supportive people who live locally.
For all gatherings aside from immediate family members who live with you, be sure to follow social distancing guidelines. To maintain a safe social distance from those who don’t live in your household, the CDC recommends:
- Arranging seating to be at least 6 feet apart
- Encouraging guests to bring their own food and beverages
- Gathering outside, if possible
- Opening windows for increased ventilation if you’ll be meeting indoors
- Wearing masks if you’ll be sitting or standing less than 6 feet apart
Gatherings with safe COVID-19 precautions can still be festive and fun. Remember that while the weather may be cooling off, you can still spend time together outside. Consider an outdoor activity: a pumpkin patch, a park, a walk or hike, etc.
3. Consider volunteering.
If you find yourself alone this holiday season, volunteering to help those less fortunate can be a source of comfort and a useful strategy to ease loneliness. Since the holidays are associated with delicious food, why not contact your local food bank to learn how you can help? There may also be volunteer opportunities to shop for presents or collect winter clothing.
4. Exercise to boost your mood.
There’s nothing like exercise to brighten your outlook and help manage holiday stress. The CDC recommends taking care of your body with regular exercise. Life can be busy during the holidays, but even parking a bit farther away from the store entrance to squeeze in a few extra steps may help boost your well-being.
5. Take time out for yourself.
Even if you can’t be with loved ones due to COVID-19 precautions, you may still have more to do than usual — such as shopping, decorating and planning meals. To help manage the stress of a long to-do list, be sure to take time to recharge. Try going for a long walk, reading a book or listening to your favorite music or podcast. Meditation or mindfulness apps can also help ease the strain.
6. Comfort those who may be grieving.
The holiday season can be especially painful for those who have lost a loved one. Maybe you are grieving yourself. If you can’t be with friends and family members to comfort them, be sure to reach out to check in and share warm memories about the person they have lost. If you feel comfortable, the American Psychological Association recommends mentioning the deceased, not avoiding the topic. This gives the grieving person permission to express some of their sad feelings, remember happier times and keep their loved one’s memory alive.
7. Seek help if you need it.
If the holiday blues seem to linger or become more intense, an underlying mental health issue seems to be worsening, or you just don’t feel like yourself, it’s OK to seek help. As with a physical illness, such as diabetes or heart disease, mental health issues deserve treatment, too. Services like Better Help now offer counseling online by chat or video.
While this holiday season is going to look and be different than in years past, it can still be a season of connection, meaning, and even joy. It may seem hard, and I’m not saying it isn’t, but we’re all going through this difficult season together.
Wishing you a thankful, socially distant, holiday.
-Dr. Laffey