While the holidays are often associated with joy, this time of year can bring depression and sadness to some people. Even more people will be alone for the 2020 holiday season due to the COVID-19 pandemic raging around the world and social distancing required around the country.
Depression, sadness and feelings of despair are likely to be much higher this year than normal as millions of Americans stay closer to home to be safe and healthy. After all, human beings are social creatures and the holidays are meant for socialization and family traditions for many people. The Centers for Disease Control reminds it is okay to stay home if that is what makes you comfortable.
Don’t allow friends and family to pressure to participate, if you are uncomfortable doing so. “Hard choices to be apart this year may mean that you can spend many more years with your loved ones. Do what is best for your health and the health of your loved ones. This year spend time with those in your own household.”
The article at: www. cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/your-health/copingholiday-stress.html reminded everyone to eat healthy foods, get enough sleep and take care of your body, “by staying active to lessen fatigue, anxiety and sadness.” The Director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. said he knows it is going to be hard.
“Celebrating holidays alone or with your immediate household members can sound rather dreary,” he said in a recent NIH blog. “Granted, this may present some difficult emotional and logistical challenges, but I’m confident that the American can-do spirit will rise to meet those challenges. After all, who wants to roast and carve a turkey for just a few people? If you look at it another way, the pandemic does offer opportunities to make this holiday a season to remember in new and different ways.”
Here is a compilation of activities to help, both the person doing the activity and the beneficiary of the action. One way is to send cards or gifts to loved ones. Whether you like to bake cookies, make Grandma’s fruitcake, or send photos of your cats, the personal touch of a gift in the mail can be so much to someone living alone or who is far away. Items made by children bring joy to anyone, especially senior citizens or hospital patients. Make sure to check the individual facility’s policy on receiving such items during COVID.
The Christmas card tradition has faded in recent years but receiving handwritten cards in the mail may be the highlight of the week for some people. For those who receive cards, display them on the wall or stack them in a bowl to look through again and again. The pandemic is likely to remain with us for a while so creating a bowl of good cheer may be good medicine.
For those who really like writing cards or letters: www.moreloveletters.com allows letter writers and recipients to take their writing to a new level. Founded by Hannah Brencher while riding on a train in New York City in 2011, More Love Letters matches letter writers with people nominated to receive letters. Or send a card or letter to a soldier through: www.letterstosoldiers.org. Local VFW and American Legion posts can often provide contact info for veterans who would appreciate correspondence.
Remember the commercial with the jingle “reach out and touch someone”? That AT&T commercial showed the importance of phone calls to many people. In today’s digital age, a phone call seems more personal and a good way to check on a neighbor, church member or someone you may not have spoken to in years. Dr. Collins said he enjoys videos. “When I’m visiting family, there is often music involved — with guitar, piano and maybe some singing,” he wrote. “But, this year, I’ll have to be content with video recording a few songs and sending them to others by text or email. Come to think of it, the kids and the grandkids might enjoy these songs just as much — or even more — if they can watch them at a time and place that works best for them.”
Add some creative dance moves and have even more fun, probably more response from young people, as well. Even non-musicians can share fun videos or songs found online. Music is a universal language and others may learn to appreciate a new musical genre from what you share. While passing the gravy may not be the same, some loved ones have learned to share meals remotely.
Set an appointment on your favorite social media or meeting platform and everyone can join at once from their respective locations. Each person or family can cook their own meals, compare what they are eating and even trade recipes or share stories about holiday meals gone wrong. Saying a blessing together, singing a family song or watching each other opening gifts can also work virtually. After that meal or gift opening, take a walk. The ones on the other end of the line will get to see your mountains, while you see their beachfront, cityscape, or cow pasture. Everyone gets some exercise and can feel part of the festivities.
You could even use the time to plan your next in person family get-together. Dr. Collins reminded everyone to use health precautions of wearing a mask, social distancing and washing hands. “If you plan to go ahead and join a holiday gathering in person, it’s important to remain vigilant, even when interacting with dear friends and loved ones,” he said. “The greatest risk for spread of COVID-19 right now is these family gatherings. Remember there are risks associated with travel and with interacting with people who’ve not been tested for the coronavirus prior to the event, especially if they reside in a COVID hot spot — which is almost everywhere these days. Try to keep any family gatherings brief and relatively small, about five people or less. If the weather permits, hold the get-together outdoors.”
He and his wife are not taking their normal holiday trips to North Carolina and Michigan. “Not only did we want to reduce the risk of possibly contracting COVID-19 from — or transmitting it to — our faraway loved ones, we want to do everything we can to protect our local friends and co-workers from the coronavirus,” he added. Collins ended his blog with encouragement. “While this holiday season is likely to be memorable in ways that we never could have imagined, I’m confident that, thanks to the rapid advances being made by medical research, we ultimately will get the COVID-19 pandemic under control so we can once again give everyone we love a big hug in person. Until then, please stay safe.”