Here are a few tips for managing stress and caregiving during the holidays:
Get a jump start on get-togethers. Being well-prepared before holiday gatherings help you cope with the additional stress.
Set aside time to plan menus and gift ideas—you can even cook some dishes together in advance and freeze them. This helps prevent the scramble to do it all last minute.
Take a break. Find time to break free from the holiday hubbub and spend a few minutes relaxing between events to stay centered and balanced. Being relaxed and refreshed can make all the difference when it comes to caregiving and having a happy and healthy holiday season.
Don't do it alone. Cooking, cleaning, shopping, children’s school events, office parties, family gatherings, and travel can combine to make the holidays stressful. The best way to beat holiday stress, don’t do it alone. Do you have a shopping list, let someone help, shop online, and best yet have it delivered to minimize the stress of crowds and parking lots. Plan ahead with the Wunderlist App: Allows you to create and share lists of various kinds.
Be realistic. Try not to put pressure on yourself to create the perfect holiday for your family. Focus instead on the traditions that make holidays special for you. And remember that just because it’s a holiday, family problems don’t go away. Be proactive, plan for support where you anticipate a need.
Here are a few favorite Holiday Gift Ideas from Home Care Partners of Nebraska caregivers.
Give something meaningful. You can show love and caring with any gift that is intentional and personal.
Give time instead of an expensive gift to let people know how important they are to you. Make a phone call or write a note and share your feelings.
Personalized Calendar with anniversary and birthdays
Family tree together create a family history book tracing lineages, photos, and history- then share it digitally with the rest of the family.
Podcasts—Help your loved ones download and play podcast, music, and meditation
Send them Postagrams: Easily upload photos and send out postcards that include a punch-out photo
Photo books using Chatbooks, Wallgreens, or Shutterfly
Nix Play Photo Frames: Allows you to wirelessly upload photos to a digital frame. So you can send your latest kid pics to grandma’s frame, and they just appear like magic! Grandma doesn’t have to do a thing.
Storyworth website: Sends questions (you can select their questions or add your own) and the recipient can either call a number and record their answers, or type them in. It compiles the answers into a keepsake book. Great for sharing stories from grandparents!
Experiences as gifts: Make It Take It Art Center, Art Reach, Corky Canvas classes, create something they will remember that you did together.
See a movie together
Read the same book and talk about it
Fitness, cooking, activity classes together, check out OLLI!