Five Tips to Help Beat the Holiday Blues
Updated: Nov 1, 2021
The following is an excerpt from the upcoming book Chronological Order: The Fine Print for a Large Life, written by Jill Yesko and Laurean Kile.
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1. Reach out: Social connectedness is especially important at holiday times. Reaching out to older relatives and friends who are alone is something all of us should do.
2. Be inclusive: Involve everyone in holiday preparation, breaking down tasks to include the youngest and oldest family members. Everyone loves to bake cookies and decorate together.
3. Create new memories: In addition to family traditions, aging adults need new things to anticipate. Add something new to the holiday celebration, or volunteer for your family to help others. Enjoy activities that are free, such as taking a drive to look at decorations.
4. Be reasonable with your schedule: Do not overbook yourself into a state of exhaustion—this makes people cranky, irritable, and depressed.
5. Monitor medications and alcohol: If you have senior family members, be sure to help them adhere to their regular schedule of medications during the frenzy of the holidays. Also, pay attention to their alcohol consumption during holiday parties and family gatherings.
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