5 Tips To Help Caregivers Survive The Holidays

23 December 2022 Leave a comment
mother and toddler daughter sitting in front of christmas tree

The holidays are always hectic. There is always a lot to get done, which can make your life more stressful, and this is on top of being a parent or caregiver. With everything happening all at once, it is very easy for us to forget strategies we’ve put in place to help our sanity and overall mental health. We’ve gathered 5 tips to help caregivers survive the holidays.

1. Plan Ahead

Make big decisions like who’s hosting ahead of time. Get your shopping done and don’t wait until the last minute. Procrastination can cause your plans to unravel, which can lead to anxiety and unwanted stress. If you don’t have time to go, shop online, or delegate tasks you can’t complete to other loved ones.

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Say “No”

If you can’t do it, say no. Taking on tasks you can’t manage will cause burnout fast. Prioritize things that need your time and attention first, then evaluate if you’ll have time to add more.

3. Don’t Try To Do It All

We do this a lot of times because it’s hard to relinquish control or because we feel like a burden asking for help. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak, know your limits. You will never be able to do it all so don’t try. Also, accept help when offered!!

4. Accept When Things Don’t Go According To Plan

Roll with the punches, pivot, and move on. There will be things that are completely out of our control…it’s not the end of the world. Dwelling on mishaps won’t help your mental health.

5. Rest

We tend to this we are superhuman and although some people may see us that way, we aren’t. We get stuck on taking care of our children and everyone else and forget to rest and recharge. If it’s easier to clean up after the big dinner by using paper plates then leave the China where it is…no one cares what the food is on. If it means leaving pots and pans in the sink so you can be present and enjoy the moment, do it!! They’ll still be in the sink waiting when you’re done but you can’t get experiences back. If hosting, have everyone pitch in with cleaning before they go home to their clean houses…Just REMEMBER TO REST!!

We hope this helps you stay sane this holiday season. Let us know some of your strategies in the comments.