I hope your Thanksgiving holiday was sweet and filled with joy, love and pumpkin pie.
Thanksgiving weekend signals the march towards the December holidays — celebrations where families have time-honored and much-loved traditions. It’s a period that many of us look forward to every year. But it also has its challenges. My family celebrates Chanukah, which comes early this year. I have to admit, it’s always hard to figure out what gifts to get my grandkids. I think they already have made every toy, doll, and truck — and then some. Their parents often complain that the kids have too much stuff. Now my wife and I have to wrack our brains to determine what to get them.
For many families, the holidays don’t take a vacation from the stresses and strains of life — layoffs, illness, financial pressure, isolation, relationship strife and mental health problems. These concerns don’t disappear during December. They can interfere with our sincere desire to make this holiday season as joyous as we want it to be.
Buying gifts, planning gatherings, making food, decorating our house and shopping can be exhausting. The rest of life — work, laundry, chauffeuring the kids here and there — doesn’t stop either.
Here’s some tips on taking care of yourself during the holiday season 2023:
Be realistic. Keep your expectations in line with reality. This doesn’t have to be the best holiday season you’ve ever had.
Set reasonable goals that fit your schedule and budget. Make healthy spending decisions and prioritize ways to celebrate that don’t send you into debt. Make sure to pace yourself so that you don’t get exhausted.
Put your health first. Avoid overindulging in food and alcohol. Maintain your regular healthy eating, exercising, and sleep habits. Make time for yourself to rest and recharge. Enjoy a hot bath with candles and lavender. Take a walk in nature, rain or shine, and soak up our Northwest beauty. Stretch, take an online yoga class, or go for a run. Listen to beautiful music.
Connect. Reach out to friends and family, organize a virtual family gathering for relatives far away. Invite older adult friends to your celebration.
Be festive and creative. This year, I will put up more lights around our house, bringing more light to this darker time of year. I’m going to be more festive during our small holiday meal. I’m going to play more music that I enjoy. On my birthday, the day after Christmas, we’re taking our six-year-old granddaughter to the Nutcracker. What fun!
Cultivate gratitude and generosity. I am thankful that my family and I are healthy this holiday season. I am grateful for the opportunity and privilege to help others as a psychologist. I’m thankful that some of my grandchildren live so close to us. This year, I’m donating more to local charities to ensure families have enough food.
Reach out if you need help. If you are struggling with feeling sad, depressed or anxious during this holiday season, you may need more help. Call the Optum Support Helpline at 1-800-557-5745 or Care Crisis at 1-800-584-3578.
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If you or someone you know is in crisis, seek safety and get help immediately. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.
To reach a trained crisis counselor, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). You may also text 988 or chat at 988.lifeline.org. The lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support. The Lifeline provides live crisis center phone services in English and Spanish and uses Language Line Solutions to provide translation services in over 250 additional languages for people who call 988.
Paul Schoenfeld is a clinical psychologist at The Everett Clinic. His Family Talk blog can be found at www. everettclinic.com/ healthwellness-library.html.
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