Fall and winter celebrations and family gatherings can bring extra stress for caregivers. Here are a few tips to help caregivers cope:
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Take it easy on yourself! Remember that your traditions may need to change to accommodate caregiving, so keep your expectations realistic.
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Take some quiet time for yourself, even if it's just 5 minutes in the bathroom or sitting in the car. This can help you re-focus on your own well-being.
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Instead of traditional gifts, ask friends and family for "gift certificates" for their help with caregiving and household tasks: going to the grocery, cleaning house or sitting with your loved one so you can have a break are just a few ideas for gift certificates.
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Also, some tidbits about grief and the holidays:(1) Give yourself permission to keep, change, or discard traditions that included your loved one who has died. For example, if you had traditionally put up different holiday decorations in each room, select a favorite decoration from each room and combine them in the one room you use the most. (2) Don't be afraid to talk about how much you miss the person who has died. Remembering them and speaking that person's name is a healthy, healing response to your grief. (3) It's easy to get swept up in the busy-ness of holiday preparations and gatherings, but make sure to take some quiet time for yourself. Time does not heal wounds, but healing does take time. |
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