Lately, the coaching conversations with my clients have focused on the same two themes: Covid fatigue and holiday stress. Since these themes keep coming up, I wanted to use this blog to share some of my ideas and tips.
I think that it is safe to say that we are all tired of dealing with Covid. We are exhausted. We want this to go away, and we want our old lives back. I think we’ve all had moments of panic. We’ve broken down and had a good cry. We’ve posted rants on Facebook or other social media platforms. We’ve seen friends and family get sick from the virus, and it’s scared us. These are all very natural and normal reactions to have.
Unfortunately, Covid isn’t going away that quickly and we keep getting bombarded with differing and confusing information. Looking at the calendar, we see that it is December, and the holidays are coming up.
Thanksgiving was different for many Americans this year. The holidays add their own stress every year, even though it is supposed to be a happy time. This year most of us won’t have holiday parties and New Years Eve celebrations. It’s going to be different and it’s sad not having our traditions.
In spite of all of this, we need to keep our emotions in check and our stress level down. We have all been dealt a hand of cards that we don’t want. We have a decision to make. Do we play the victim and carry on about how difficult the year has been and how cruel it is that we have to change our December routine, or do we accept the hand we were dealt and make the best of it?
I choose the latter and I hope you do too.
Here’s what you can do.
Tips for Managing Covid Fatigue and Holiday Stress:
- Take a break from the news and social media
- Practice self-care by relaxing and doing something you enjoy each day
- Exercise, eat well, and stay healthy
- Connect with friends and family over the phone or video conference platform
- Journal your thoughts and feelings
- Create new traditions with your family
- Stay away from alcohol and drugs
- Pray or communicate with your chosen higher power
- Don’t compare yourself to others, if they bought more presents than you did or have more lights on their Christmas tree than you do
- Seek out professional help
- Set boundaries-don’t put expectations on other people and don’t allow other people to put expectations on you
Grant yourself some grace and remember that these are tough times, and we are all doing the best that we can. Let’s all be optimistic that Covid will be behind us soon and we can carry on our traditions next year.
