Preparing for the winter holiday season has always involved anticipation, excitement of get-togethers with friends and family, office parties, gift exchanges, and other winter traditions. Trying to keep up with long standing customs or, as is sometimes the case, just managing to get through this hectic time of year, will once again be especially challenging. As if the usual amount of stress and anxiety that builds at this time of year isn’t enough to deal with, the pandemic and its restrictions must also be factored into the planning. We believed that last year would be the one and only experience we would have of winter holiday time with a pandemic backdrop. Yet, here we are again, perhaps a little more confident, perhaps a little more fatigued, with the limitations that are being imposed. Our mental health may be pushed to the limits as we try our best to maintain a holiday atmosphere during uncertain times that we thought and hoped were behind us.
Support Your Well Being
It is crucial to support your mental wellness and think about ways to increase your positivity and reduce your stressors during the winter holiday season. Anxiety, depression, loneliness, low mood, worry and caregiver burnout can easily intrude or worsen if you are not being mindful of the state of your mental health and actively doing things to help you cope and adapt. Experiencing these feelings are normal from time to time. Acknowledge them, everyone is vulnerable to these feelings at one time or another, but it is not OK to allow them to take over and negatively affect your day to day living.
During the busy winter holiday season, put yourself first. Take the time to nourish yourself with exercise, proper nutrition, adequate hydration, and sufficient sleep. This is not being self –indulgent, taking care of yourself physically is a necessity to prepare you to cope with the additional demands of the season. Shopping for gifts, for example, can be an anxiety provoking activity for many. Anticipated supply chain issues this year and the added rules for shopping in person can be triggering. Plan your holiday shopping in advance, opt for online shopping and delivery services rather than venturing out to crowded malls. Make this the year that everyone on your list receives a beautiful sweater from you, this will take the stress out of decision making.
Stay Connected
The ever changing rules and restrictions imposed on indoor gatherings does not mean that you have to be alone during the holidays. Reach out to friends, family and your community to connect via phone, text, FaceTime, Zoom or similar ways to share some stories and conversation with others. Make a point to regularly check in with other people. It will lift your spirits, and theirs, too.
When things begin to feel like they are becoming too much, take some time to center yourself by practising deep breathing, meditation and grounding exercises. For example, an effective exercise that you can do alone or with a partner is the Five Senses Countdown. Stop what you doing, then say out loud: 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can smell, 2 things you can taste, and 1 thing you can feel, followed by a slow cleansing breath. Feeling better?
Reach Out for Support
Sometimes despite your best intentions, you may find yourself overwhelmed with anxiety or depression. We encourage you to reach out to your healthcare providers to direct you to resources and services to help you through your difficult times. They are trained, experienced and are happy to help you to get yourself back on track to enjoying the holidays. There are also many community based resources available, such as Bouncebackontario.ca, which is a free online service program for youth, adults and caregivers, providing support for your mental wellness.
It can be difficult to remain optimistic when the ground under your feet is constantly shifting. The rules that were put in place yesterday may have already changed by today. Please take a moment this year to express gratitude, even if your celebration may not be what you imagined it should be. Perhaps this will be the start of some new traditions. Take this time to reflect on your abilities, and on what you will be able to do once again in the future.
For more information on PiOT Occupational Therapy Services, please visit: piot.ca
We thank PiOT Occupational Therapy Services for their continued support and their sponsorship of the Sharing our Recovery Newsletter.
This article is also featured in our 2021 Winter Issue of Sharing our Recovery
The Crash Support Network is a unique website consisting of an online support group, a Crash Survivor Blog written by a survivor, our Sharing Our Recovery Newsletter, informative articles and a Virtual Crash Memorial. 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.
