Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season, and good health and wellbeing in the upcoming year!
For many, the holidays bring much joy and happiness; for some it brings isolation and loneliness. This can be especially true for older adults. The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that 43% of senior adults experience loneliness on a regular basis; during the holidays, those feelings are amplified exponentially. Holiday fatigue (gifts to buy, cards to send, halls to deck, cookies to bake, meals to plan, parties to attend) is one reason why; the holidays are stressful and just aren’t the same as they used to be. Social isolation can be another reason. Friends and family members may have passed away or moved away, or the family has grown and have other celebrations to attend, leaving a voice that is hard to fill. Seniors who live alone may also dread going to holiday functions without a partner and end up staying at home. Physical limitations, such as vision and mobility problems, make getting out and about during the holidays a challenge for seniors. Isolation is like getting a big lump of coal in your stocking! Nearly 1/3 of people 65 and older live alone. Social isolation puts people at increased risk for heart disease, stroke, depression, cognitive decline and premature death. The health impact for someone with prolonged isolation can be as bad as smoking 15 cigarettes daily! Seasonal factors, such as the lack of sunshine and the changes in diet and routine, can also contribute to increased depression.
While the holiday blues differs from clinical depression in that the holiday blues are usually temporary, we still need to take it seriously, because they can lead to long term mental health concerns. A few tips that can help with the holiday blues:
Stick to normal routines as much as possible
Get enough sleep
Take time for yourself, but don’t forget to spend time with supportive, caring people
Eat and drink in moderation (avoid alcohol altogether if you are feeling down; it is a depressant and will only make you feel worse)
Get some fresh air and exercise, even if it is only a short walk
Make a to-do list and keep things simple
Set reasonable expectations and goals for holiday activities such as shopping, cooking, entertaining, attending events, etc
Set a budget for holiday spending and don’t overextend yourself financially in buying presents
Listen to music or find other ways to relax
Enjoy your hobbies and other areas of interest
If you are traveling or gathering with friends and family during the holiday season, please make your health and safety a priority! A few things to take into consideration during the holidays:
Wash your hands with running water and soap often to prevent the spread of germs
Make sure you are up-to-date on your vaccinations (please see the CDC immunization schedule under the “Immunizations” tab)
Stay warm and dry; wear the appropriate outdoor clothing, such as layers and waterproof boots (if it ever snows)
Give yourself a break if you feel stressed, overwhelmed and out of control
Don’t drink and drive, or ride with others who have been drinking and intend to drive
Fasten seat belts when in a moving vehicle
Don’t leave fireplaces, space heaters, burning candles or food cooking on the stove unattended
When preparing foods, wash hands and surfaces frequently and cook and store foods at the proper temperatures
Limit your portion sizes, as well as foods high in fats, sodium and sugars (which seems to be the essence of holiday foods, right?!)
Try to get physical activity for at least 20 minutes daily
Take all of your medications with your for any overnight trips
Your CCM Care Coordinators are here to help you get through the holidays, in whatever way we can. If you are alone and suffering with seasonal depression, holiday blues or social isolation, please let us know; don’t suffer through the holidays. We are your advocates and value you, as well as your challenges! If you know someone who is alone, or will be spending the holidays without family or friends, reach out to them; a little effort and communication can go a long way in making a person feel that they are not “forgotten”.
In whatever you do, or however you spend the holidays, may the peace and joy of the holidays be with you today and throughout the new year!