It’s December, and we don’t have to tell you the holiday season is in full swing. From Thanksgiving to Christmas and New Year’s and everything in between- this time of year can be incredibly stressful for wounded veterans and their families. Injuries both visible & invisible can become even tougher- couple that with the financial stressors, and many may wish away a season that used to be a joyful time of year.
Here are 5 helpful tips for reducing stress around the holidays, plus advice from veteran families!
Plan Ahead
Make a plan! Decide who you will see and what gatherings you will attend. Is it easier to host or attend? Talk it over with your loved one(s) and make the best choice for your family.
Don’t Over-Schedule
Give yourself permission to say no. You may not be able to do everything this year, and that is okay. Parties, sports, extra-curriculars, seasonal activities, shopping, baking, cooking, cleaning… the list goes on. Doing it all may leave you exhausted and running on fumes. You can always unmake plans if you realize you may have over-committed or today is not a good day.
Take Time for You
Schedule opportunities for a breather and capitalize on those moments when unexpected downtime occurs. Read, take a walk, listen to music, color, watch TV, take a nap, play a game. It’s essential to do the things that help you recharge!
Make an Exit Strategy
You can’t anticipate every situation, word that may be exchanged, or feeling that could occur, so creating a backup plan if you need to make a quick getaway may be helpful. Whether it’s taking two cars, a code word to leave, going to a quiet room, taking a breather outdoors, etc. Planning in advance may make all the difference!
Add Mindfulness or Meditation to Your Daily Practice
Among many benefits, research shows these habits can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Apps like Calm or Headspace are available to guide you through this tool.
Bonus Tip!!
Stay in the Moment
It’s easy to start thinking about all the activities that are to come in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Try to focus on today and stay present. Today has enough worries that focusing on tomorrow’s possible stressors can add to today’s.
Advice from Veteran Families:
For Christmas, I also order everything online and hide the presents in my closet. The kids know where they are, and I'm shocked that no one has tried to peek "yet"... ~Beth
Communicating expectations has been a game-changer for us. It's not perfect, but better than years past. Hosting parties at our house has been the best for our family. We get to see family in a comfortable environment for my husband, my husband has a 'safe place' he can escape to if he needs a break, and I am able to continue socializing. Sometimes he will rejoin the party, and sometimes he needs more time to recharge. With communication, we are able to better enjoy the holidays. ~Tiffany
Go on vacation alone. ~Melissa
I like to cook everything a day before Thanksgiving and just leave the turkey for last. I order most of the gifts online that way, my children can't peek, and I hide them in the Christmas tree box (it's a huge box!) ~Emily
Taking deep breaths; it gets hard when my husband's PTSD is in full effect. We have a word we use, and when he says it, then I know it's time for us to go. Explaining to family members or friends-sometimes they just do not understand. It has really helped my husband go out, and I am at ease when around friends and family or out in a crowd. ~Joy
Simple is good! I try to split the family's favorites between Holidays. Everyone has a favorite pie; however, I don't want to make 4 different ones. I make some for Thanksgiving, different ones for Christmas, and the final favorites for New Year. It saves me time and work and adds variety. ~Christina
The best present you can give is the gift of your presence. Put the phone away and be present in the moment. ~Pam
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