Orlando Therapist: 7 Tips for Reducing Stress Through a Pandemic Holiday

The holidays are among us and although it may look and feel different than our usual holidays, there is still an opportunity for them to remain a time to connect with our loved ones. I like to think of these holidays as a time to add a little twist on the normal traditions.

However, as an anxiety counselor and trauma therapist, I understand that the idea of a new and different holiday can make some people feel anxious. Change can be difficult especially during a sensitive time like a pandemic where our need to feel safe, secure, and supported is already at an all time high.

I invite you to continue reading for ways to help you reduce stress and anxiety during this year’s pandemic holiday season.

Establish Your Comfort Levels

In your attempt to reduce your stress during this pandemic holiday season, it will be helpful to identify your social distancing boundaries. Be clear with yourself on what you need to feel safe and plan ahead. Communicate what you need to feel comfortable with your family in advance.

If you know that, traditionally, your family puts together a large potluck and you’re uncomfortable with that this year, consider ways to celebrate that don’t involve sharing a potluck style meal. Prepare a list of alternative ways of celebrating to offer the family. Plan how you will respond to invitations. Will you suggest alternatives? Will you respectfully decline and not attend?

Plan for Differences

It will be helpful to understand and respect that your loved ones and friends will have varying comfort levels for what they believe is safe or not safe in terms of family gatherings and closeness. Some people will throw all the COVID-19 guidelines out the window while others will follow them rigidly. If someone else’s comfort levels are more stricter (or less strict) than yours; don’t take it personally. Understand that people’s risk tolerance and needs for safety can be wildly different. It is truly a personal decision. I encourage you to accept that there will be differences. Be at peace with the idea that not everyone will have the same idea of safety during the holidays.

Honor your Boundaries

Ultimately, your comfort and safety are your responsibility. Get comfortable honoring your boundaries in terms of risk and safety during this pandemic holiday season. Say “no” when you need to and let go of any guilt. Give yourself grace when your needs are different than others in your circle. If others try to “guilt you” into moving your boundary, kindly decline knowing that your risk tolerance is your decision.

On the flip side of this coin, remember to extend grace to others that have more stringent boundaries than you. Judging someone for how they handle social distancing during a pandemic holiday season just further alienates us. Be kind and remember that we are all doing the best that we can.

If you need assistance in setting boundaries with your loved ones, here are 5 Simple Steps to Setting a Boundary.

Acknowledge your Grief

Anytime there is change, there is a loss. Undoubtedly, you will experience grief this holiday season for the loss of normal holiday festivities. If you are feeling sadness or loss for this holiday season, give yourself space to grieve the loss of not being able to celebrate the holidays in your traditional ways. Honor the grief that goes along with that.

Stay Connected

Just because the holidays will look different, doesn’t mean opportunities to connect with your loved ones are lost. Stay in touch with them, however you feel comfortable, and share with your loved ones how you are feeling. They may be feeling the same thing and being there to support each other through the difficult emotions can be an opportunity to strengthen your bond.

Shop & Connect Online

If you’re experiencing health related stress - I suggest getting creative with your shopping and group activities! Because of the pandemic, stores and businesses have moved a lot of their services online. Shop for as much as you can online. Check in with your local holiday markets or events, a lot of them have moved online as well!

If you’re wanting to get together with your loved ones or friends to do an activity online, here are some suggestions:

• Have a virtual lip synching battle or sing karaoke

• Create a craft together through Zoom/Facetime/etc.

• Solve a Murder Mystery through the App “I am Innocent”

• Have a virtual sleepover (think cozy pjs, bed, popcorn, a glass of wine if you fancy one, and random chit chat)

• Use a random word generator to choose a topic to paint or draw together

• Virtual cooking class

Pause and Regroup

When it’s all getting to be a little, or a lot, too much - give yourself the permission to pause and regroup with yourself. There is a lot going on, it can get heavy. Give yourself some space to feel it, ground yourself, and continue. If you need some ideas of how to pause and regroup, here are 177 Ways to Ground Yourself, Mindfulness and Meditation Apps to assist you in finding your calm, and my free catalog of Guided Meditations.

Wishing you a safe, connected, and comfortable holiday season.

Need more COVID-19 anxiety support?

How to Deal with Difficult Family Through the Holidays

15 Resources That Will Help Reduce Your Anxiety During COVID-19

How to Deal with Stress and Anxiety During Stressful Times

10 Tips to Settle Coronavirus Anxiety

Looking to learn more about Orlando Therapist and Relationship Counselor?

We’re here to help you. When you’re ready schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation here.

Mindful Living Counseling Orlando is a trauma healing center. Our Orlando Therapy Services include anxiety therapy, trauma counseling, eating disorder recovery, teen counseling, and healing from toxic relationships. At Mindful Living Counseling Orlando, we use a down-to-earth approach infused with cutting-edge therapies that go beyond traditional talk therapy so clients can heal at the root level and experience lasting change. Feel free to access one of our Guided Meditations to help you feel settled and calm now.