The holidays are here, and it’s supposed to be a time of rejuvenation, relaxation, and love. But for some, caregiving during the holidays can be especially challenging. There is a lot of pressure to make sure things are perfect and that you make the holidays as enjoyable as possible for the person you’re caring for, as well as other family members and friends. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and you need help coping, here are some tips for celebrating the holidays as a caregiver and getting help when things become too much for you to handle on your own.
Tips for Making the Holidays Easier on Caregivers
If the holidays cause excessive stress, there are things you can do to make them easier on yourself and on the person you’re caring for. Here are a few tips for incorporating into your celebrations this holiday season:
- Communicate: Communicate with your loved ones that you have a lot on your plate this year and that you are doing your best. Manage expectations by letting the seniors you care for, your children, and your other family members know what will likely happen this holiday season. Communicate what your capabilities are and that some things may need to be sacrificed this year so that you can handle the basics. You can also use this opportunity to ask for help from family members.
- Don’t focus on the past: It’s easy to get caught up in anxiety and stressful moments when you focus on past holiday memories. The circumstances you are facing now are different than they were last year, so don’t feel bad if you can’t recreate an exceptionally wonderful Christmas from the past. It is important to realize you can’t recreate those memories, but you should treasure them instead of using them as a measuring stick against which to measure this year’s holiday season.
- Focus on the positive: There is always something to be grateful for, even when things seem bleak. One of the best tips for caregivers is to focus on the positive and recognize all your blessings. Be thankful for where you are currently in life and what your challenges are teaching you. We would never learn certain things unless we were required to stretch outside our normal comfort zones. The more you focus on the positive, the better your outlook will be this holiday season.
- Don’t make things too complicated: This year may be the perfect year to order out for Christmas dinner or to warm up a freezer dinner instead of working in the kitchen for hours. It’s OK if you don’t create the “perfect” Christmas dinner. When you’re caregiving during the holidays, sometimes simple is better. Remember, your mental health is more important to your loved ones than a perfectly set table.
- Have fun: It can be easy to take yourself too seriously when you’re celebrating the holidays as a caregiver, but don’t forget to have fun! Your carefree, happy attitude will most likely rub off on your loved ones and help them enjoy the season more fully, too. Build a gingerbread house, watch funny Christmas movies, have a karaoke Christmas party, etc. Whatever sounds fun to you, throw your inhibitions to the wind and do it!
Remember not to be too hard on yourself this year. If you’re struggling as a caregiver, allow yourself to feel the frustration, sadness, and even anger. But once you’ve allowed yourself to feel it, it’s time to let it go. You will be much better off if you create your own happiness in simple ways this season.
How to Find Proper Caregiving Assistance for the Holidays
If you are too overwhelmed to make it through the holiday season on your own, reach out to someone who can help you. If you have family members who can step in and take over your caregiving responsibilities for a while, ask them to do so. If no one in your family can help, there are outside sources you can turn to.
Facilities like Caring Places Management are equipped and trained to take good care of your loved ones. There is no guilt in taking some time off to care for yourself. After all, your loved ones want you to be happy and healthy, which might mean taking some time off from caretaking to heal and nurture yourself.
If you need extra help with your caregiving duties this holiday season, reach out to Caring Places Management. The sooner you schedule caregiving services, the better (since the holiday season can understandably be hectic). You can search online for a Caring Places Management location near you in Oregon and Washington. These facilities are ready and waiting to provide compassionate, thorough care to your loved ones this holiday season, so you don’t have to handle it all on your own.
