The winter holiday season brings a blend of merriment, nostalgia, and cinnamon-spiced desserts.<\/p>\n
If you look after senior loved ones who live at home, though, getting through the holidays can require extra effort and energy. You might feel the silent, creeping onset of caregiver stress.<\/p>\n
While there are often factors that are out of your control, we want to offer you some tangible ways to support yourself where you can. This way, you can enjoy more of the magic of the season.<\/p>\n
From exhaustion to anxiety to lack of concentration, there are several ways caregiver stress<\/a> can show up. Stress looks a little different for everyone, and unfortunately, some of the best, most generous, and giving caregivers are very<\/i> good at ignoring the signs.<\/p>\n
In this article, we\u2019re focusing in particular on the stress that informal caregivers<\/a> often experience, as distinct from those in the formal or medical professions. You\u2019re an informal caregiver if you\u2019re voluntarily caring for a senior loved one who requires particular attention.<\/p>\n
An AARP survey found that about seven in ten caregivers report experiencing emotional stress<\/a> due to caring for their senior loved one during the holiday season.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re a caregiver, of course, that\u2019s no surprise.<\/p>\n
Holiday traditions are dear, but they shouldn’t come at the expense of your well-being.<\/p>\n
Know Your Limits<\/b><\/p>\n
Recognize when you’re stretching yourself too thin and understand that it’s okay to say no.<\/p>\n
It’s perfectly fine to decline an invitation to the neighborhood Christmas party if you’re feeling\u00a0 (or even anticipate feeling) stretched.<\/p>\n
Communicate Your Boundaries<\/b><\/p>\n
The truth is, your loved ones may not actually know what you\u2019re feeling unless you tell them. Consider explaining to your family ahead of time why you might skip certain traditions this year, such as baking dozens of cookies or hosting the big family dinner.<\/p>\n
Prioritize Holiday Activities<\/b><\/p>\n
You don\u2019t have to do it all. Decide which traditions or activities feel essential to you and your loved ones, and which ones you can forgo or simplify this year. Choose to attend a carol service, for instance, but maybe forgo the bustling Christmas market.<\/p>\n
Studies show that most caregivers experience significant barriers<\/a> to asking for help from both informal and professional resources.<\/p>\n
We hear this over and over, and if you take away only one thing today, please know that you don\u2019t have to be in this alone<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Here are three ways to stretch your delegating muscles this holiday season.<\/p>\n
Consider External Assistance<\/b><\/p>\n
Engage Family Members<\/b><\/p>\n
Community Resources<\/b><\/p>\n
Remember that self-care isn’t selfish\u2014it’s essential.<\/p>\n
Schedule Breaks and Down-Time<\/b><\/p>\n
Are you the type to get to the end of a day or even a week and realize you haven\u2019t taken a break? We see you, and we implore you: schedule rest<\/i>. Really.<\/p>\n
When you plan your week, honestly consider when you can squeeze in time to slow down or pause. Schedule mini-breaks every day to help refill your cup and enjoy the festive season, like a brisk evening walk to see your neighbors’ Christmas lights, or a peppermint latte as you\u2019re running errands. In addition, plan for more intentional downtime as often as you can, like a solo holiday movie date or a quiet night of reading at home.<\/p>\n
Maintain Physical Health<\/b><\/p>\n
Eat the holiday treats, obviously! Gingerbread cookies are good for the soul. Just make sure you nourish yourself in the same way you\u2019re nourishing your senior loved ones<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Emotional and Mental Wellbeing<\/b><\/p>\n
Want something science-backed? Consider Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, which is proven<\/a> to improve overall mental health, reduce stress, and decrease depression associated with caregiving for family members with dementia.<\/p>\n
Holidays don’t need to be extravagant to be memorable.<\/p>\n
Re-evaluate Traditions<\/b><\/p>\n
The truth is that bigger, more complicated celebrations are not only exhausting to plan, but they can also be overwhelming for family members with dementia. For example, instead of elaborate holiday dinners, consider simpler meals or even catering options.<\/p>\n
Create New Traditions<\/b><\/p>\n
Choose easy activities like watching a holiday movie together or baking a family-favorite dessert. For something extra memorable, consider facilitating a low-key holiday story sharing evening<\/a> for grandchildren to get to know their grandparents better.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>Stay Present<\/b><\/p>\n
A bit of forethought can alleviate many potential stressors.<\/p>\n
Create a Schedule<\/b><\/p>\n
Balance during the holidays may well be a myth, but it does help to at least be honest with yourself about how much you have going on! Planning ahead to make sure you have enough time for gift shopping, festive meals, and holiday events can help the season feel more manageable.<\/p>\n
Holiday Financial Planning<\/b><\/p>\n
It\u2019s true, holiday costs can add up. Budget not just for gifts, but also for potential caregiving expenses, like a little extra support if you can swing it.<\/p>\n
Emergency Plans<\/b><\/p>\n
It’s always helpful to have a contingency plan, or even just save yourself from future stress by acknowledging that not everything will go 100% as planned\u2026 and that\u2019s okay. There will always be a last-minute holiday mishap or a snowstorm that delays family travels.<\/p>\n
Support is paramount.<\/p>\n
Support Groups<\/b><\/p>\n
Many caregivers find solace in sharing their experiences with others. Local and online caregiver support groups can be invaluable, and the winter holidays are a good time to remember you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n
Professional Counseling<\/b><\/p>\n
There is strong evidence that cognitive behavioral therapy<\/a> can help relieve the stress that informal caregivers often experience.<\/p>\n
Holiday Dates with Your Friends<\/b><\/p>\n
The holiday season is beautiful in many ways. It\u2019s also invariably a challenging time for caregivers.<\/p>\n
But you don\u2019t have to be in this alone. Ask for help from family, friends, or trusted professionals.<\/p>\n
Our holiday wish for you is to give yourself as much tender loving care as you offer your senior loved ones.<\/p>\n
You can always get compassionate, tailored support from us in one of these three easy ways \u2014 all completely free.<\/p>\n
There is no charge for these services. They\u2019re simply an extension of our mission to help every family who calls.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The winter holiday season brings a blend of merriment, nostalgia, and cinnamon-spiced desserts. If you look after senior loved ones who live at home, though, getting through the holidays can require extra effort and energy. You might feel the silent, creeping onset of caregiver stress. While there are often factors that are out of your […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":7151,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15,81,47],"tags":[94,48],"class_list":["post-7149","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-caregivers","category-health","category-holidays","tag-caregiver-stress","tag-winter-holidays"],"yoast_head":"\n