On Dec. 12, the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving held their monthly telephone learning series on “Caregiving through the Holidays.” Dr. David W. Coon presented several suggestions to help caregivers to enjoy the holidays and minimize stress.

Here were some of his top tips:

1. Connectedness - Make sure to find ways to stay connected to family and friends.  Seek out simple but meaningful activities such as sending an email to a group of people with an update about you and your loved one, holding a conference call with family members, set phone dates and ask others to help you with different tasks.

2. Avoid overload - As we all know, stress wears on the immune system. Take the 5, 10, or 30 minutes you need each day to do something restorative such as listening to music, praying, reading a passage, meditating, exercising, sitting in a garden or even watching a sunset. Remember to be kind to yourself - you really are doing the very best you can.

3. Free up time - Make a list of tasks that need to get done over the holidays ahead of time so that when someone asks you if they can do something for you, you have a quick answer.  If family guests are staying with you, ask them for help with doing the laundry, vacuuming around the tree, or shopping for groceries.  They are family after all.

4. Transform old traditions - Make a list of all your family traditions (e.g., decorating a Christmas tree, making cookies, sending cards, gift giving, etc) and evaluate each by answering the following questions to see how you can either stop or transform traditions to simplify the holidays:

• Would the holidays be the same without?
• Is this something you want to do differently?
• Do you do it out of habit, tradition, free choice or obligation?
• Is it a one person job or can it be shared?
• Who is responsible for seeing that it gets done?
• Do you like doing it?

5. Gift giving - Gift giving is a way to rejuvenate. People like receiving personal thank you notes and gifts. Simplify this by giving similar gifts and ordering through catalogs or online. Ask for gifts of help: respite, house cleaning, care washing, restaurant or food gift certificates. Most importantly, if someone gives you a break, make sure you do something for yourself during that break. Don’t use the time to go run errands. Also, consider giving yourself a gift like a massage, day spa visit, manicure, or new fishing rod. For all you do for your family, you deserve something special!

Practicing just 2 or 3 of the above tips can lead to a less stressful, more enjoyable holiday season.

 Additional Resources on AGIS for more holiday tips, suggestions and hints:
AGIS’ Holiday Gift Guide
Keeping the Cheer During the Holidays
Taking Grandma Out

Filed under: Caregiving, Holidays