How to Cope with the New Normal Holiday Celebrations
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As the COVID-19 cases continue to surge nationwide, we see some positive light as the vaccines are now being created and will soon start to aid us all. But since we are still in the social distancing precautions, holiday celebrations will be different this year. However, according to experts, there are ways to start new traditions during this unprecedented year, as well as ways to cope with what may be a lonelier holiday season.
As mentioned by Dr. Amanda Fialk, licensed clinical social worker, she encourages people to recognize the feelings and emotions they’re experiencing about missing out on the typical holiday season. With this kind of practice of acknowledging and validating your feelings, you are more likely to become less overwhelming and less likely to become blindsided by your emotions.
Dr. Fialk further recommends that people should plan in advance on how they spend the holidays. By planning in advance, you will know how you are going to celebrate differently yet well-planned – this will keep you busy, engaged, and happy.
Knowing that celebrating this holiday season will be quite different and likely unique, take this opportunity to acknowledge self-care to manage stress and anxiety.
Moreover, Dr. Fialk states that be careful with communicating with ‘I’ statements. Using the ‘I’ statements would make your points be heard without attacking someone else’s views or feelings.
Also, since traveling and family gatherings are still prohibited, there are other ways to celebrate in the most intimate way. Why not celebrate it – digital style? With the rise of online meetings that are currently in use by companies, you can still use them for your own convenience. Distance doesn’t have to mean loneliness or isolation, so keep holiday traditions alive digitally!” Fialk said.
And speaking of company online meetings, holiday parties will be quite different. Definitely, companies will host virtual holiday parties to let their employees still feel the Christmas spirit, even from the comfort of their homes.
Additionally, grab this opportunity to maximize the use of digital advances to connect not just for your family and friends but also for other people who also want to celebrate this holiday season. As suggested by Sara Wellensiek, blogger for Mom Endeavors, she insisted that families could start the fun by cooking together over Zoom. They could also host a virtual Thanksgiving ‘happy hour’ before everyone sits down to eat in their own, separate homes. Furthermore, virtual games like a pie-eating contest or pie decorating will be a nice touch.
Wellensiek said that this is also the perfect year to start new traditions. Parents celebrating with their kids at home unlike their traditional going out should be encouraging for the kids to talk about the importance of today’s pandemic and why they can’t do “normal” holiday activities.
As for Dr. Fialk, she recommended finding other ways to feel grateful and connected during the holidays, like doing service work, which can give a sense of appreciation and connection to a greater purpose.
This new normal holiday celebration is not just for the family gatherings and gift giving. Instead, take this opportunity to raise money for helping the needs especially of those people who suffered a lot during this pandemic. After all, the holiday season is all about celebrations and giving back.
We at Haraya Coaching, are here to support all of your fallbacks and guide you to rise up feeling good, resilient, and healthy. We are here to listen and be with you in every step of the way. Want to know how you can cope with the holiday blues? Write to us at team@harayacoaching.com or contact us through our website at http://harayacoaching.com/connect-with-us/.
