Festive Celebrations as a crash survivor can be a challenging time for us while we are recovering. Everything is suppose to be happy with plenty of family and togetherness but what if you are a survivor of a car crash? As survivors, we need to acknowledge that the holidays will be different this year.
Here Are Some Helpful Tips To Support You During This Festive Time:
- Festive Celebrations as a Crash Survivor can be extremely overwhelming. Say yes to help! There will people who will want to help and may offer their support. Take them up on their offers. If family members or friends aren’t offering, ask. If you have always been independent like me, I found this very hard to accomplish but it is so important. Asking others to help with cooking, shopping or decorating can be a big relief and can help take away some of your stress.
- Decide where you want to spend the holidays. You may want to change the location especially if you travel out of town every year to celebrate with family. Ask your family members to come see you or suggest a “skype or facetime chat” if you are unable to celebrate with them this year.
- Remember that not everyone will be feeling the same way as you. Be honest. Tell people what you want or what you do not want to do for the holidays. Let them know what will make you uncomfortable such as a drive to visit a relative. Make it clear that some things aren’t easy for you.
- Take advantage of your “journal time” especially if you are having a bad day during the holidays. I not only found this therapeutic but necessary. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can enhance your sense of well being.
- Don’t send holiday cards if you are not up to the task. Finding addresses and writing cards can take a lot of energy and could cause unnecessary fatigue. Your family and friends will understand if they do not receive a card from you this year.
- Make a Holiday list and check it twice. Yes another list! Surviving a collision makes it harder for us to concentrate and remember things. Once you complete a task on your list make sure to check it off as you go. Put your list in a safe spot. I always have my list on the front of my fridge so I can always find it and have easy access to it.
- If you are stressed about getting to the mall or walking around with the crowds, cut back on gifts or shop online.
- Skip (or minimize) the decorations if it is too much for you this year. You don’t have to have the perfect tree, perfectly wrapped gifts, and perfect table. Accept that this year may not be perfect and that it is okay. Ask someone for help. Remember that your family and friends are there to help and they will understand.
- Remember that crying is okay. The holidays can be overwhelming even for someone that is not recovering from a collision. If you have a house full of guests, excuse yourself if you feel a cry-fest coming on and take some time to yourself. Find a quiet spot to de-compose. Holidays can be hectic so “alone” time is necessary especially if you are recovering.
- Watch the food. Food can make us feel better in the short term. Don’t deprive yourself, but be careful that you do not let food become your holiday comfort especially if you are immobile. You already have enough going on with your recovery without having to deal with a bad stomach from overeating or a sudden weight gain.
- Watch your intake of alcohol. Alcohol can become a fast friend when we are feeling anxious, stressed or simply overwhelmed. You may already be taking prescription medication for your injuries and those two substances are not a good mix.
- Splurge on a gift for you if you can. Make it small and simple. I always treat myself to a beautiful Christmas Bouquet at Christmas and place the flowers in an area where I can always see them. When I find myself overwhelmed or frustrated, I gaze upon those lovely flowers and it helps lessen my anxiety even if its just for a few minutes.
- Limit your use on social media during the holidays especially if you are feeling frustrated, sad or lonely. When I was immobile at home recovering from my crash, I made the mistake of going online and reading numerous posts from my friends that were having a great time at Christmas Parties, shopping, decorating, ect. Seeing those posts only made me feel anxious and sad as I could barely get through the day recovering.
- Try your best to go to bed the same time every night. An hour before bed, start winding down your activities so you can set yourself up for a good night’s sleep. Think of this as your time to power down: focus on relaxing your body and mind. Take a warm bath, do some deep-breathing exercises, practice meditation, read a comforting book, or enjoy some soothing music. Think of this as a gift to yourself—after all, you deserve it!
- If you are in the hospital recovering from a crash this festive season, it is only natural that you may be missing your family and friends not to mention all the wonderful food and festivities. Remind your family members and friends to visit you only if you feel up to it. If they cannot visit, ask them to call you at a certain time so you do not feel alone or left out. Ask a family member or friend to bring you something from home that is festive to bring some Christmas joy to your hospital room.
Wherever you are celebrating festive celebrations this year as you recover, I would like to wish every Crash Survivor a Happy Pain-Free Holiday. I wish you continued healing and I hope you will find strength in each new day. Remember to take it easy!
S. Dawne McKay is a survivor of a horrific crash that changed her life forever. Dawne shares her personal journey as a Crash Survivor Blogger and also collaborates with crash survivors as Guest Bloggers allowing them an opportunity to share their stories. Dawne is also the author of the book, “Talk Crash to Me – What to Expect After Surviving a Collision and How to Manage Your Recovery” which is available for purchase on Amazon.
The Crash Support Network is a unique one-of-a-kind website consisting of an online support group, a crash survivor blog, a quarterly newsletter, “Sharing Our Recovery” as well as highly informative articles. Our website is based on relationship-building and puts the needs of survivors first by creating a helpful resource for victims and survivors of motor vehicle crashes.
