-

Coping with Covid-19 Fatigue During the Holidays

By Diane Kern, Ph.D.

Creator of Happy and Healthy U™

 

As we approach the holidays, the continued disruption to our lives and restrictions of living in a pandemic for over 7 months are taking a toll on us.  It makes sense that we are tired of not knowing when this will end and feeling the fatigue resulting from living with the prolonged pandemic related stress.    With the encroaching winter season, a surge in coronavirus cases and having to retreat to indoors, the uncertainty is leading many to experience increased emotional distress in the form of increased depression and anxiety. 

We can reduce the fatigue and emotional distress of this situation by embracing the upcoming holidays, instead of dreading them.  While celebrating the holidays will be very different for most of us, it provides an opportunity to break the monotony of the being on lock down.  

Adjust your expectations and participation in holiday activities, based on your energy level

·        Give yourself permission to

  • Celebrate on a smaller scale and conserve your energy
  • Eliminate traditions that are not feasible this season
  • Engage in healthy self-care
  • Ask for and allow others to help

Adopt a positive attitude

  •         Focus on whatever you are grateful for this season.
  •         Look forward to something you can reasonably experience.
  •         Recognize what you have the ability to do.
  •         Seek happiness and joy.  This can counteract depression and anxiety.
  •         Practice mindfulness; get quiet and calm; appreciate the moment
  •         Have fun. Find humor. Laugh.

Be prepared to celebrate differently this year

·        Holiday decorating: Get in control of your space and get in the mood

·        Cooking

  •  Plan holiday menu and cook in advance
  •  Keep cooking at a manageable level; don’t overdo it
  •  Consider ordering holiday meals
  •  Consider (if safe and possible) eating out or food pickup

·        Alcohol consumption: Use moderation

·        Socializing: Limit with social distancing, small groups and safely, if possible

·        Shopping: If in person, observe safety measures; consider online

·        Gift giving

  • Plan shopping to avoid dealing with long lines
  • Consider online ordering                        
  • Consider making gifts
  •  Consider non-tangible gifts (using time, talents and skills)

·        Explore virtual ways to visit with friends and family.

·        Only travel out of town, if you can safely do so. Be sure to check the travel related pandemic regulations where you live and where you are visiting.

·        Check out (via online search engines) creative ways to host virtual holiday events involving ideas, such as:

  • Gift exchanges
  •  Sing alongs
  • Party games
  • Wine tasting; Food sharing
  • Shared creative activities (i.e. arts/crafts; food preparation; sewing, etc.)
  • Book readings; poetry recitations
  • Letter and card writing gatherings for sick and shut in

 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Taking Care of Me in 2023: Healthy Self-Love

-
  Elements and the Practice of  Healthy Self-Love As February comes to a close, let's reflect on the major theme, represented by Valentine's Day, that of love . Healthy love is a powerful force.  It provides us with motivation, joy, purpose, and energy.  It is important to remember that healthy love starts with our ability to love ourselves.     Healthy Self-Love Self-Acceptance and Being Authentic Like who you are Focus on and reinforce your strengths and positive qualities Embrace your individuality Self-Compassion Treat yourself well Forgive yourself for past mistakes Accept positive treatment from others Self-Esteem Recognize your value and honor it Honor the priority of your needs Assert your needs and wants Self-Awareness Be in touch with and in control of your emotions Set reasonable and Healthy Boundaries  Practice mindfulness  Positivity Recognize and celebrate your accomplishments Adopt an optimistic mindset Seek to enjoy life Practice gratitude For more about Dr. Dia
Read more

THE BENEFITS OF CAREER CONFIDENCE

-
  Career Confidence is Vital to Career Satisfaction and Success Career Confidence Consists of the Following: Having a strong and positive belief in one's work-related assets (i.e. skills, strengths, abilities, talents that enable achievement) Feeling comfortable demonstrating those assets Seeking and being willing to take on challenges, including learning new skills Feeling good and at ease with celebrating achievements Career Confidence is Important to Career Happiness and Sucess: When you experience a high level of confidence, it functions like a muscle that reinforces your desire and comfort with applying your work-related assets.  This is especially true when you are performing work that you enjoy and is truly a good fit for you. You are also more likely to experience success when you feel the confidence to apply and demonstrate your work-related skills, talents and abilities.   A High and Healthy Level of Self Confidence is Beneficial Because it Enables You To: Represent and p
Read more

Welcome 2023 With Gratitude from 2022

-
  THE BENEFIT OF GRATITUDE  Being Grateful for 2022 Helps Usher in 2023 As 2022 comes to a close, it it helpful to reflect on how we were successful in getting through the year. It is important to note that using a positive lens through which to evaluate what has transpired and where we have landed does not require us to ignore the painful or challenging experiences.  It is healthy to acknowledge problems and negative situations.  However, it is unhealthy to give those events and situations all of the power.  That is what happens when we narrow our lens and focus only or primarily on the pain of hurtful events. A healthy attitude enables us to desire to be whole, feel well and move on. Psychological researchers have found that the practice of gratitude is helpful in switching our perspective from one of problem to solution and building the resilience to overcome the negative impact of hurtful events.  Specifically, the attitude of gratitude is the ability to see the "silver lining
Read more