Navigating pandemic fatigue, the holidays, and your mental wellness: Thanksgiving Edition
Two years into this pandemic many of us are still finding our footing. We have lost count of what surge we are on and it’s hard to keep up with the latest guideline. To put it simply, many of us are just doing our best- and even that can feel exhausting. According to a study conducted by The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), 64% of people who identified as struggling with mental illness report that holidays make their conditions worse. Mix in trauma and fatigue from the pandemic and we are left with… perhaps what is not “the most wonderful time of the year”. As we prepare for this upcoming holiday season- let’s dissect this further so you feel better equipped to manage your emotions during the holiday season.
Sitting down at the table again
For many families, the holidays bring along traditions and reunions. The Covid-19 pandemic made it so that many families have been unable to gather like they used to. Across the world, people have been faced with challenging decisions in choosing the manner in which families gather. Perhaps this year we are feeling more knowledgeable on proper pandemic protocol, many of us armored with vaccinations, and a better understanding on how to navigate the world safely again.
Many of us find ourselves calculating risk this holiday season. Does your internal monologue sound something like, “Okay, air travel + vaccination + masks in public + outdoor dining = is it acceptable to hug my grandma?”. We have been carrying this heavy burden for a long time now, so let this serve as a reminder to be kind to yourself.
Careful risk assessment is still important in preventing the loss of life- but we want to acknowledge that carrying this is heavy. It’s important to talk about this (seemingly unending) weight with people- including our experts at Lavender, Our psychiatric nurse practitioners have been working with people, helping them to navigate their feelings, providing people with clarity during the fog of this pandemic.
Here are some helpful tips for you protecting your mental health this holiday season:
Set Boundaries
This year, it’s important for us to set limits. It’s 2021. We can debate just about everything, but for now- it’s okay to want to eat your stuffing in peace. Perhaps you’re not in the mood to mediate a fiery debate between your uncle and another estranged party who made it to the table this year. Whether a family member is going on about public policy and mishandled covid policies, apparent supply chain issues, or the coveted vaccination debate, sitting down at the table this year together is what is important, so if your family prefers to leave the rest at the door- we are all for it. Healthy debate is great and sometimes the record does need to be set straight. While we are all for advocating what is important to you, we suggest you acknowledge your own sensitive spots. Perhaps there are hot button issues for you that hit too close to home- that you may not want to hit at home.
Share the effort
In many defined groups, such as families, people often can have defined roles. Perhaps you’re the planner, the host, the comedian, or even the introverted-fly-under-the-radar-type. Perhaps many or none of these roles are true for you. All we’re saying is, one person in the kitchen feels outdated. We have all been through it the past two years- the least we can do is pick up the spoon and stir when our loved one is covered in a floury mess insisting that the pies will be ready in time. An easy way to share the effort is to try a potluck style meal or divide up chores so that whoever cooks doesn’t also end up cleaning. Typically, those who are great at entertaining, hosting or making the meal won’t necessarily think of this on their own as they may want to do it all. As a guest you might just lighten their load by suggesting a more shared effort approach. Throwing our backs out to impress others is so 2019.
Consider others
The holidays can be a particularly triggering time for many people. Holidays can resurface old memories or grief that people don’t even know they haven’t processed. In considering others, we can help lighten the burden for each other. Think about your loved ones and those you may gather with. Perhaps there is a family member who struggles with substance abuse- in those cases have you considered the place of alcohol or other substances at your table? Does it feel appropriate to trial a “dry” thanksgiving out of solidarity? Think about the vegetarian who doesn’t want to bug anyone with their dietary choices, and will end up with a plate of just green beans, unless you bring it up to the group. No matter what the case is- we can all look out for each other this holiday season.
Sources:
https://www.nami.org/Press-Media/Press-Releases/2014/Mental-health-and-the-holiday-blues
