Holidays indeed require lots of energy and merry making thus warranting stress as well. This can’t be prevented or avoided as it comes with the experience however for seniors with little energy to spare as well as for caregivers without much time to give them own selves much less, activities like this, this could spell double stress. Below are some ways to minimize holiday stress and make the festivities something to actually look forward to!
· Plan ahead. It may be a little bit late for this now but planning ahead really does wonders in preventing potentially stressful situations. If you are planning a trip with your senior, it is always better to do a little research on your destination to know what problems you might face when you get there. Same goes for parties you and your senior are invited to; it is always best to RSVP with your host at least 3 days before the event.
· Take advantage of the holiday break and get enough rest and sleep. If you are an active senior, meaning you are the kind of senior who is always up and about all year round, then this is the perfect time for you to slow down, sit back and relax. Now if you are a caregiver, you can perhaps hire someone to cover for you for a day or two, depending on how many days you are willing to hand-over your caregiving duties and go get your well-deserved rest and sleep. However, if you are not comfortable with this, asking someone to give you a hand just for the holidays would also work well just so you’ll be able to do more without actually abandoning your post.
· It’s okay to be NOT perfect. Perfectionism adds unnecessary stress. Who cares if your plates and glasses are not matching? It’s not like you’re entertaining foreign dignitaries and the president (unless of course if you really are expecting them) Gone are the days when it was rude to not use the china when entertaining, nowadays people find casually organized parties more fun.
· Forget deadlines. Holidays shouldn’t be done with schedules to stick to. People are busier these past few years that putting up and decorating a Christmas tree second week of December is not anymore a big deal. Unless you are booked for a holiday trip then there’s no need for a timeline, just do whatever whenever suits you.
· Stick with healthy diet. While festivities are synonymous to food, skipping those bad for your help will help you stay happy and healthy even after the holidays. No need to feel all guilty with whatever you consumed over the holidays just as long as you know you didn’t break any major diet no-nos.