Sometimes as our loved ones continue to age, the holidays no longer seem very jolly, and they may not feel like celebrating much anymore. What used to be a joyous occasion can change and take on new meanings as life throws us curve balls. The biggest curveball this year, obviously, is that we are still living in a pandemic. This within itself may increase the risk of depression in seniors and loved ones of all ages.
We think we’re supposed to be exceptionally happy this time of year, but that expectation alone can cause people of all ages to become sad or depressed. Caregivers and seniors are especially susceptible to the holiday blues. “As a caregiver, you can be prone to adopting your loved one’s melancholy feelings or anxiety and vice versa,” says Leslie Dunham, LCSW, a social worker at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
While the holidays may not be the same as they were in the past, there can still be plenty of reasons to celebrate. One of the most important things to remember is that it’s okay to enjoy the holidays as they are now. Old memories hold a special place in your heart, but there is always enough room to add new ones. Being that the CDC still suggest for social distancing and wearing face coverings, these holidays will be like none before. There is plenty of oppourtunity to create new memories.
Knowing what exactly is triggering these gloomy feelings during the winter season can help you find ways to cope and feel better.
Dealing With Death During Holidays
Dunham reveals that one of the biggest challenges for families is losing a loved one. With the approx death toll from COVD-19 being over 200k, many people have lost someone this year or know someone who has. This may highlight absences and brings intense feelings of grief, loneliness and depression. You may even feel guilty if you find yourself having a good time.
Innocent gestures may also spur feelings of sorrow. For instance, receiving a holiday card addressed to your late loved one from a well-meaning friend who doesn’t know the circumstances may cause your grief to resurface. On the other hand, it can also be stressful when family and friends purposely don’t mention your loved one’s name to avoid triggering a risk of depression.
These feelings are all normal, but to help you get through these tough times, talk about how you would like to handle the situation with someone you trust. That person can then communicate your wishes to others. If you want to do something to honor your loved one, there are different ways you can pay tribute. Choose whatever feels right.
Remember that not everyone grieves in the same way. There is no accepted norm. You may cry at the drop of a hat, while someone else is more stoic. Some people may grieve for weeks, and others mourn for years. Understand that the holidays won’t be the same as they used to be, but recognize that the “new normal” can be fulfilling in other ways.
Stress Over Too Much to Do
Another thing that can cause depression is pressure from family and friends to continue holiday celebrations the same way they have been done in the past.
Nothing can ruin a holiday faster than having too much on your plate. By default, caregivers are already busier than the average person, and adding decorations, holiday meals, and shopping to the mix is enough to undermine anyone’s holiday spirit.
To keep from feeling overwhelmed and out of control, try the following suggestions:
- Focus on what you and your loved one need instead of what others expect of you.
- Be realistic.
- Accept help when others offer it and ask for help when you need it. It makes other people feel good to help those they care about.
- Prioritize and downsize holiday tasks. Decide which decorations are most important to you and compromise. For example, put up the tree lights and the mantle decorations, but skip the outdoor lights this year. The same idea applies to dinner, gifts, etc. Don’t make a ham, a turkey, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes. Stick to two or three favorite dishes instead of six or seven. You could also start a new tradition of a potluck meal. If everyone brings a dish to share, it significantly lightens your load.
- Make lists. It often helps to see what exactly needs to be done, and it gives you a sense of accomplishment when you cross off completed tasks.
Financial Pressure During Holidays
Finances are another notorious source of stress during the holidays. Money is often already tight for seniors and caregivers alike. Spending also tends to increase this time of year on things like gifts, holiday meals and heating. Dunham offers these suggestion for coping with financial worries:
- Set a budget. This is important for managing your finances year-round, but it can be very helpful to take a closer look at your income and expenses before planning celebrations and purchasing gifts. Making a budget may seem like a bummer, but it’s far better than realizing after the holidays that you spent far more than you could afford.
- Remind your loved ones that less expensive gifts can be just as thoughtful and useful as more expensive ones.
- Make baked goods or create handcrafted gifts for family and friends.
- Have your family members draw one or two names for gifts, instead of having everyone buy presents for each person. This may help other family members save money as well.
- Don’t wait until the last minute to mail cards or buy presents. Take care of a few items each day to complete tasks with minimal stress and expense.
Avoiding Holiday Depression
There is no reason to wait until depression happens to act on it, because there are approaches that can help prevent and minimize the symptoms. Generally, what can help is not being too hard on yourself for the difficulty you may be experiencing. Try to:
- Keep a regular schedule and build in breaks. Adequate rest is crucial, especially during the hectic holiday season.
- Avoid feeling guilty for picking and choosing which holiday gatherings you and your loved one can attend.
- Make sure you and your loved one get regular exercise. Unfortunately, it’s typical for people to stop doing the healthy things they usually do because of holiday activities and the inclement weather. Make exercise a top priority, even it’s only twenty minutes each day.
- Avoid overeating at every meal. Save indulging for special meals, like the big family dinner or the pot luck at work. Balancing indulgence with light, healthy meals will help you feel less lethargic and improve digestion.
- Be careful about the amount of alcohol you drink.
Remember that the real meaning of the holidays is to be thankful for what you had, what you have now and what the future will bring. Be honest and recognize that the holidays may not be the same as they once were. Talk with people you trust about how you are feeling. You can also find a support group, where you can discuss your thoughts with those who are facing similar difficulties. It may be wise to make an appointment with your doctor as well. He or she can suggest medications and nonpharmaceutical options to help you feel better.
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