Thanksgiving can be an overwhelming time for crash survivors as they are distracted by an unexpected life change and the constant worry about their health and finances often hide in the background while they try their best to enjoy family time. It can be a real challenge because everyone is talking at the same time, children may be running about and the television could be on full blast while you are trying to recover.
How To Make For a Good Thanksgiving While You Are Recovering:
- Have coping strategies in place in case you find yourself overwhelmed. Identify a place that you can go to decompress, and go there if needed. Find some quiet moments. Retreat to a bedroom as noise levels will be that their highest.
- Knowing how much time you will spend in advance should help to reduce anxiety. If you find that you are having fun and want to stay longer, great! If on the other hand, you don’t think that you can stay the entire time, know that it is okay to slip away early. Feel good for staying as long as you did. Your recovery and health are important so don’t overdue it.
- Say yes to help! Whether you are hosting this year or attending as a guest, thanksgiving can be overwhelming and there will be 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 or grocery shopping can be a big relief and can help take away some of your stress.
- Decide where you want to spend Thanksgiving. 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.
- Travel in comfort. Managing pain while you travel to and from your destination is just as important as managing it during your festivities if not more. No matter how you’re traveling whether by car, plane or train, try to get up and walk around every so often when it’s safe to do so.
- Take advantage of your “journal time” especially if you are having a bad day throughout the weekend. I not only found this therapeutic but necessary. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can enhance your sense of well being.
- 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 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.
- If you’re attending a family gathering, make sure you have a comfortable seat with proper support. Consider bringing a cushion or back support for extra comfort.
- 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.
Thanksgiving can be overwhelming and stressful. Take some time to enjoy your family and try your best to share some joy and gratitude with others but also be good to yourself. This year, I am grateful to all of our followers and I am thankful that I have another day of healing. I am also grateful for the Crash Support Network Group which is an online support group that is available to all crash survivors where we inspire and encourage each other through our daily struggles.
Wishing everyone a safe & wonderful Thanksgiving. Don’t over due it!
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.
