Archives for November 2020

Despite strong efforts and hopeful wishes, it doesn’t look like the COVID-19 pandemic will be over for the 2020 holiday season. In the meantime, try these tips to make sure you and your family stay safe and healthy while you celebrate.

Shop Online
As much as you might miss the festive displays and holiday music, 2020 is not a good year to do your Christmas shopping at the mall. Instead, stay nice and warm at home while you complete your shopping in the online marketplace. Many stores have a gift option that will let you ship presents straight to your relatives’ homes, complete with wrapping paper and a gift receipt.

If you do need to get something in person, consider opting for curbside pickup. Coronavirus spreads quickly indoors, so you’re much safer interacting in the fresh and frosty air.

Connect Virtually
Holiday gatherings simply won’t be the same size this year, but that doesn’t mean you need to feel alone. Plan to meet up with your family or your friend group in a Skype call or Zoom meeting. Consider asking everyone to display a few holiday decorations on camera to make the setting more festive. If you’re tech savvy, you can also spice things up with a holiday-themed Zoom background.

Share Memories
You might be in different places, but you and your family can still spend the holidays together by recreating the same memories in your own homes. Consider asking everyone in the family to do the same holiday activity, like making a gingerbread house or playing the same classic Christmas album. You can also try sharing recipes, watching the same movies, or even just decorating your trees on the same day. Don’t forget to take pictures so that everyone in the family can participate in the fun.

Travel Carefully
The CDC is recommending that everyone stay home for the holidays, but as of November, they haven’t laid down a travel ban. If you’re desperate to see your relatives, follow these steps to make your trip as safe as possible:

Get tested. You should take a COVID-19 test both before and after your flight. That way, you’ll know that you’re not bringing COVID with you on the plane, and you’ll also make sure that you don’t pick it up at the airport.

Pack extra masks. Fresh masks are important, especially when you’re passing through public spaces. Be prepared to swap your mask every time you enter a new environment.

Bring your own everything. This year, don’t stop at the store between the hotel and your parents’ house. The shorter your route is, the less chance you’ll have of catching the virus.

This year’s holiday season will be different, but there’s no reason it can’t be merry. Call your loved ones, send thoughtful packages, and look forward to ringing in a safe and healthy new year.

The holidays are fun, but they can also be incredibly stressful. If the thought of throwing a great Christmas celebration is already making your heart pound, you might want to try a few of these stress-reducing tips.

1) Start Shopping Early

Last-minute gift buying is never fun, but it’s a particularly bad idea during 2020. This year, save yourself the worry by doing all of your online shopping at the start of December. Then, you’ll be able to sit back and relax while the postal elves make sure that your holiday happens exactly on time.

2) Create a Budget

Overspending is an incredibly common response to holiday stress. Unfortunately, money can’t actually buy happiness; if you try, you’re more likely to end up with an empty wallet and an incredibly anxious holiday.

As a solution, set a firm budget for your holiday spending before you even begin. Know how much you have for gifts, how much you have for food, and how much you have for spontaneous ice skating. Then, stick to your budget, and relax knowing that you’ll be starting the new year with your finances in good order.

3) Eat Healthy

When you get stressed, it’s tempting to load up on as much junk food as possible – especially when all of those holiday treats are on the table. Unfortunately, a poor diet is actually a major contributor to lasting feelings of stress and depression. If you’re having a hard time making it through the holidays, consider keeping your diet on the healthier side.

To start eating healthy, make sure you’re getting an adequate amount of vegetables, whole grains, and other fibrous foods. Fill out your plate with leaner meats, and make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. As long as your normal diet is healthy, you can safely eat a few cookies when Christmas Eve rolls around.

4) Get More Sunshine

Seasonal affect disorder is incredibly common during the winter months. If you just can’t shake the holiday blues, it might be because you’re not getting enough direct sunlight. Pull back the curtains from your windows, and try going for a short walk every day. You can also purchase a sun lamp or light box to bring a little sunshine into your quarantine.

5) Call Someone You Love

Connecting with friends and family is one of the best ways to help yourself feel less stressed. This year, when you start to feel the darkness of winter rolling in, break your cycle by picking up the phone. Find a friend or family member who you can call or text when things get to be too much. With any luck, they’ll be happy to spend the holiday season chatting with you.

Seasonal stress is normal, but lasting depression shouldn’t be ignored. If you’re struggling with your feelings this year, don’t be afraid to schedule an appointment with us; we’ll be happy to help you figure out what’s going on.