The December holidays are a joyous time of year. They’re filled with mirth, warmth and a fair amount of glee.
But the holidays can be crippling for too many. Some are sick, battling physical diseases like cancer, heart issues, Alzheimer’s or COVID-19. Others are suffering from mental health issues such as depression, loneliness or holiday stress.
Katy Yahr, a licensed counselor who owns Seniors Helping Seniors Charleston, says the holidays are a great time to spend time with family members and friends — and to get a better sense of wellness issues that may be going on, particularly for seniors.
“Spending time together provides an opportunity to notice early warning signs of potential health issues, whether physical or cognitive,” she said. Among the signs to look for, Yahr said, are:
- Noticeable differences in personal hygiene and grooming
- More confusion and memory lapses
- Shifts in personality or changes in mental status
- Frailty or balance issues
- Spoiled food in the refrigerator or a somewhat bare pantry.
For some, the stress of seeing family members or missing loved ones who are somewhere else or have passed away causes the holiday blues. Planned events — even boozy office parties — might feed anticipation and angst. One recent poll by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) says almost one in three Americans expects to be more stressed during this year’s holiday season than in the past.
If you feel lonely or are still grieving a loss, the holidays can be particularly tough. One great coping mechanism is to do the opposite of hiding. Instead, bring together friends, tell stories and celebrate the lives of lost friends or relatives. You may be surprised how cathartic it is to remember, laugh and raise a glass — and keep the person’s personality alive among those in your group.
The APA also offers other tips on coping with holiday stress:
- Say no if you have to. To prevent holiday burnout, it is OK to say no to some of the pressing stresses on you. Along those lines, you may want to prioritize what brings you joy and simplify as much as you can. “It might be nice to make your grandmother’s cookie recipe from scratch for every holiday, but if that’s stressful for you, buy cookies at the store and celebrate,” the APA said.
- Take a break. If a conversation looks like it’s headed down a dark path, it may be a good time to step out of the room so there’s no family feud. You’ll feel better and can rejoin when things have cooled down.
- Get outside. Fresh air and sunlight often brighten moods. Spending time in nature can relieve stress, improve concentration and boost mental energy.
- Stay in therapy. If you’re in therapy, stay in it during the holidays. Keeping scheduled sessions — particularly during a time of high stress — will help you deal with anything particularly vexing or emotional. And if you are not in therapy, remember to talk with someone — a friend, spouse, minister or professional — in the event that things seem to be spiraling out of control.
- Watch the pocketbook. Spending too much money during the holidays can cause future stress and boost your financial burden, which can cause unwanted problems. Be frugal if you need to and be creative to figure out inexpensive but fun ways to enjoy the season.
The holidays are a time to celebrate. Let’s just make sure we do so in ways that are mindful.
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