Five steps to handle the holidays of 2020

BY RALPH BRYANT

For most people, Christmas and the holiday season is a mixed blessing.  Of course, there is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, as well as the celebrations of Kwanzaa and Chanukah – the happiest time of the year for much of the world. Unfortunately, for far too many, the holidays are the very opposite: the saddest time of the year, where so many people are alone, afraid and depressed.

Personally, I am a Grinch.  When I was twelve years old, I desperately wanted a Colecovision game console, the Playstation 5 of my time. Every kid on my block salivated for the same gift, as there were stories of parents getting into fights in store parking lots for the precious boxes. When I finally worked up the courage to ask my mother for one, she said, “Boy, Christmas is cancelled this year.”  This was strange because on December 25^th, I could hear the screams of happy kids in the hallways of my apartment building, confirming what I suspected – that Christmas was only cancelled for me.

This is the Christmas paradox; instead of using it as an opportunity to reconnect and reflect to faith and family, it has devolved into a contest for, “Who can get the best stuff?”  A season as important as Christmas should not be determined by the joy that can be found in your bank account.

There is also the perception that depression and suicide rates increase during the holidays. There is no doubt that there are people who are depressed during the holidays. According to Psychology Today, it is confirmed that suicide rates actually decrease during the holidays. Despite this myth, the devastating effects of the Coronavirus will certainly have an affect on our collective well-being.

It is important to recognize the difference between people feeling a little sad that you can’t travel home to see your family, and when you are actually depressed. Here are five ways to check your mental health during the holidays. There is something important that I mention here; if you are unable to regulate your mood, then please seek professional support.

1. Don’t overcommit yourself
   While this year may be different, there are normally too many commitments during the holidays, leaving people to feel stressed to be “on” the whole time.  Commit only to events that you can comfortably do, even if they are zoom events. Revise any plans that do not fit in with your self-care plan.

2. Ball on your budget
   Do not go into massive debt to afford the Christmas of your dreams, or the Christmas that you’re used to having.  “A call, a visit or a ride…can be as touching and even more meaningful than a gift,” says the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

3. Limit alcohol and cannabis
   Part of the fun of the holidays is the drinking and celebrating with loved ones.  According to the American Addiction Centers, alcohol can make long-term depression worse. The same can be said for people who experience paranoia while consuming cannabis. Be social and have fun, but also be mindful of how substances are impacting you.

4. Sleep
   There are so many obligations and present wrapping; people often sacrifice sleep to get it all done. According to Better Help, “Getting out your calendar and marking off me time,” is one way to manage your rest during the holidays. If you don’t add hours to your sleep, including time for: relaxation, meditation, or yoga.

5. Practice self-care
   “Self-care is as much about your thinking as your behaviour,” said Elice Boyce, Ph.D. There is a misconception about what self-care is and isn’t. At its most basic definition, it is about listening to your body’s needs, and making adjustments to your lifestyle accordingly. If you are planning to attend a virtual Christmas party, but you don’t feel up to it, politely decline.

The Coronavirus adds another layer to this season; feeling a little anxiety is normal, especially as the vaccines continue to roll out. These five steps will help all of us take care of our most precious gift: ourselves.