MANAGING HOLIDAY STRESS DURING A PANDEMIC USE TECHNOLOGY

Focus On What Is Important

The holiday season is a time where people celebrate their faith and spend time with family. When feeling stressed, take a moment to stop and check in with yourself about what is truly important to you about the holidays in order to realign your focus.

To Your Advantage

If your family chooses not to get together for the holidays, make sure you are using technology to connect! Zoom, Skype, FaceTime and Facebook Messenger are some of the many ways you can have real-time video with loved ones. Make sure to use the technology frequently, particularly if you have family and friends who are more socially isolated (e.g., grandparents, family members who live alone).

SHOP LOCALLY BY EITHER ORDERING ONLINE OR ORDERING AHEAD

Ordering gifts early is a great way to reduce stress as the holidays get closer. There are lots of deals you can take advantage of even before Black Friday. Local stores are offering online ordering as well as curb-side pick-up. Take advantage of these new opportunities that allow you to shop locally without having to spend a ton of time going from store to store.

MOVE YOUR BODY

Exercise is one of the best stress management strategies you can use as it gets the brain to release feel-good chemicals. There are many ways to exercise that do not involve leaving your home or going to a gym. YouTube has many free exercise videos. There are free apps to download to your phone (e.g., 30 Day Fitness, Seven, Down Dog), and you can do “house walking” and strength training anywhere in your home. Canned goods make great weights and there is no equipment needed for squats and lunges.

MAKE TIME FOR RELAXATION

Enjoy the slower pace of this holiday season! There will be fewer activities to attend which will allow you to really focus on what you enjoy about this time of year. Relaxation can include things like yoga and deep breathing, but also includes activities such as taking a drive to look at holiday lights, watching your family’s favorite holiday movies, and taking time to engage with nature on those beautiful crisp, quiet winter nights.

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Trishia Powell, MSW, LCSW (left) and Desiree Zielke, Ph.D, LP (right)

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