At Melanoma Canada, we are thinking of you this holiday season. The holiday season is one of joy, festivities, and family, but it can also be a challenging time associated with feelings of stress, grief, and loss. Holidays can magnify these feelings and have a way of bringing them to the surface. Because of this, we want to share some tips for ways to cope with the challenges of the holiday season so that you can enjoy this period to its fullest and with those that matter to you the most.
Tips for Coping with the Holiday Season
- Start new traditions: There may be some of your usual holiday traditions that might be too hard to participate in this year – and that’s okay! Try and be open to change and the possibility of starting new traditions with your loved ones in order to meet your needs this year. These new traditions can be just as special as the ones you’re used to. Set realistic expectations for yourself around the holiday celebrations and be gentle with yourself as you acknowledge that things may be different this year.
- Keep things simple: Simplifying your holiday routine can look different depending on what you’re used to doing this time of year. Identify the activities and situations that often require the most time, attention, and energy, and think of ways that you can possibly plan to scale back or ask for extra help. Here are some of our ideas:
- Try online shopping instead of walking around a busy and crowded mall to save energy.
- Have your holiday groceries delivered to your home to save the hassle and physical difficulty of grocery shopping and hauling heavy bags.
- Take some of the pressure of hosting off by suggesting a family potluck or supporting your favorite local restaurant with takeout.
- Ask for a helping hand to hang any lights or decorations.
- Ask for help: Asking for, and accepting, help can be challenging, but your family and friends are likely more than willing to make the holiday season easier for you. It’s not a weakness to ask for help and it is also important to remind yourself that when someone offers help, it’s more than okay to accept it. Avoiding burning yourself out by taking on too much will not only help you to preserve your energy, but it’s also better for your physical and mental wellbeing.
- Respect your boundaries and remind yourself that it is okay to say no: There may be events, people or requests that you don’t have the energy to attend to this year, and that’s okay. Your loved ones will understand if you can’t participate in every activity. Try and focus on what you can manage and will enjoy. In the season of giving, try and remember that it is equally important to give yourself what you need as well.
- Make time for solitude and self-care: Sometimes we need a chance to step away and take a breath – especially when things get overwhelming. Give yourself permission to carve out time for yourself or take a break from festivities if needed. Self-care can also mean staying in touch with your feelings. Allow yourself to experience the range of emotions that may surface at this time. Acknowledging, and not shaming, your emotions will hopefully allow for them to come and go naturally and without judgement.
Article by Abigail Wiggin
Melanoma Canada Patient Care Specialist
awiggin@melanomacanada.ca
