Holiday stress is a big topic every year, but 2020 is the champion year of stressfulness! And now the holiday season on top of it all. Take a few minutes to reflect on what’s ahead for the next few weeks.
First of all, like everyone else, we implore you to stay safe and stay home. Sure, nobody wants to stay home any more, we’ve had enough of that already. But it’s not over, and we still have to be responsible, even if it’s just too much. It’s not too much, you can handle a stay-at-home, socially distanced holiday season. So, we pulled up our holiday season “tips and tricks” from last year, and looked them over to see what has to change for the pandemic holiday season. Actually, there’s not much that has to change, only physical closeness is out this year; affirming our closeness with relatives and friends, celebrating life and the coming of light back to the northern hemisphere, times for reflection and times for cheer are still the same.
- Celebrate! All human cultures, throughout all of human history have had annual cycles and times to step out of the usual round of duties and have fun for a change. Take the chance to do some things that you really want to do. See people you love (by Zoom or Skype), eat special foods, relax for a bit, and sing along with the silly old songs in the TV ads.
- Don’t beat up on yourself. You can’t make yourself feel what you are “supposed” to feel. Holidays can churn up a range of emotions that sometimes take us by surprise. Observe your feelings, name and acknowledge them and move on. Don’t waste energy trying to feel or not feel in the way you “should”.
- Make a plan. For people with bipolar and depression there are special challenges to the holidays. Planning ahead for possible pitfalls can help you keep in control, instead of letting your moods take control. Identify people in your support network that you can call if you need an extra listening ear for a challenging day.
- Consider triggers. Take a few moments before the holiday rush begins to reflect on potential triggers of a manic or depressive mood. Write down what you will do to counteract them if they are observed. Having a plan in place means you don’t have to think about what to do in the rush of the moment, you just have to follow the plan.
- Make a budget. Impulses are your enemy. Decide ahead of time how much you will spend on gifts, on entertaining, and on yourself, and stick to the budget. You’ll thank yourself when the bills come due!
Holidays are unquestionably a stressful time, but they don’t have to be a disaster. They can even be fun with some simple attention given to your own needs and wishes. Take a few minutes to reflect on what the holiday means to you, and then move forward into a more meaningful holiday.