The holiday season, while often filled with joy and cheer, can also sometimes be a challenging time for older adults. The hustle and bustle, social pressures, and changing family dynamics can contribute to feelings of stress, loneliness, and anxiety. Grief can also be very heavy during the holiday season. As a psychologist, I've worked with many older adults who have found ways to navigate these challenges and embrace the holiday spirit.
Here are some tips to help older adults enjoy the season:
1. Set Realistic Expectations
Avoid Overcommitting: It's okay to say no to invitations or obligations that may feel overwhelming. Asking ahead about accessibility can also help with this (for example, folks with mobility needs might want to know whether a host’s home has 20 steps to get into the front door).
Pace Yourself: Spread out holiday activities over a longer period to avoid feeling rushed or exhausted. For example, if you’re baking or cooking, do parts as early as possible, and complete the work over several days, giving yourself plenty of time to rest if you need it.
Prioritize: Focus on the most important traditions and activities that bring you joy. I have often talked with patients about the fact that “no” is a complete sentence!
2. Manage Stress and Anxiety
Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness techniques like meditation or deep breathing to reduce stress and anxiety. The best way to start a mindfulness practice is to practice daily at a set time to build the skill into your routine.
Seek Social Support: Spend time with loved ones who provide positive and supportive company.
Limit Stressors: Reduce exposure to stressful situations, such as crowded shopping malls or noisy parties.
3. Adapt Traditions
Modify Traditions: If certain traditions become too difficult, stressful, or too painful because of grief, consider modifying them or creating new ones.
Embrace New Experiences: Be open to trying new things and creating new holiday memories.
Focus on the Positive: Shift your focus from what you can't do to what you can.
4. Stay Connected
Virtual Connections: Use technology to stay connected with loved ones who live far away. Watch a tutorial on how to use Zoom or Facetime if you haven’t learned yet, or ask a family member or friend for help if you need it.
Join Social Groups: Participate in social groups or clubs to meet new people and form friendships.
Volunteer: Giving back to the community can provide a sense of purpose and connection.
5. Prioritize Self-Care
Get Enough Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.
Eat Healthy: Maintain a balanced diet to support your physical and mental health.
Exercise Regularly: Engage in regular physical activity to boost your mood and energy levels. Even simple movement is good for us!
Seek Professional Help: If you're struggling with feelings of depression, anxiety, grief, or loneliness, which are often worse for people during the holidays, consider seeking therapy or counseling for support.
Common Challenges and Strategies
Loneliness: Spend time with loved ones, join social groups, volunteer, or consider getting a pet.
Financial Stress: Create a budget, avoid impulse purchases, opt for homemade gifts like cookies, communicate with family and friends about budget boundaries, and seek assistance from social services if needed.
Health Concerns: Consult with your doctor to manage any health conditions and create a holiday plan that accommodates your needs.
Grief and Loss: Allow yourself to grieve, seek support from loved ones or a grief counselor, and participate in memorial rituals to remember loved ones.
Start Therapy for Older Adults in Los Angeles, CA
Remember, the holidays are a time for joy and connection, but they can be particularly hard for older adults if loss, loneliness, disability, health concerns, or stress become overwhelming. Prioritize self-care this season! Dr. Reger can help you and your loved ones make the most of the holiday season. Start your therapy journey by following these steps:
Contact (424) 262-1925 to schedule your appointment
Meet with Dr. Reger
Start finding joy this holiday season!
Other Services Offered with Dr. Stacy Reger in Los Angeles, CA
Counseling for older adults isn’t the only service offered by Dr. Stacy Reger. Other services include capacity assessments and a variety of neuropsychological and psychological assessments. Other assessments include cognitive and dementia testing, pre-surgical assessments, and med-legal evaluations. In addition to evaluations, I also provide individual therapy, and mental health consultations and presentations. Visit my blog for more help today!