The holidays are a time to celebrate our many blessings, but this doesn’t erase the stress and anxiety that you may be feeling. During the holidays, people tend to put pressure on themselves and hold their expectations high. This is what leads to added stress.
Fortunately, there are some strategies you can follow to minimize holiday-related stress. All they require is a bit of perspective and the willingness to ask for and accept help.
Simplify Your Traditions
Traditions change. You’re surely not doing the same things that your great-grandparents used to do, so don’t feel bad if you need to simplify some of the traditions from your childhood. Do what makes sense for your family and make the best use of your energy. For example, you may want to have a potluck meal instead of cooking everything yourself.
Live in the Moment
No one knows what the future holds, so enjoy this holiday season with your family. Rather than trying to please everyone or live up to high expectations, relax and focus on your mental, spiritual and emotional health. Bake cookies. See a holiday movie. Go caroling. Live in the moment, as these are the memories that you will hold onto.
Include Your Loved One
Find ways to include your aging loved one in the holiday celebrations. It doesn’t have to be anything difficult. Decorating cookies, counting the days on an Advent calendar or even looking back at pictures from past holidays are all fun, meaningful activities. But, don’t compare past holidays to this one. Life changes, so you must celebrate what you have today.
Choose Respite Care
Respite care is available on an as-needed basis, which is perfect for the holiday season. Whether you want to visit friends and family or you need time to go holiday shopping, you can count on a respite care service such as Family Private Care. Your loved one will receive excellent care while you focus on holiday-related tasks.
The holidays are here! Keep your expectations reasonable and reach out for help when you need it. Family Private Care has respite services available to help busy families over the holidays, so call us today!