Seasonal Stress

Audrey Swanson
7 days ago
2 min read

What is "seasonal stress"?

The holiday season - Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Years - is often a time of joy, connection, and celebration with the people most important to us. But it can also be a stressful time, especially for someone who is also balancing the responsibility of caring for a loved one affected by dementia. The added demands of planning and preparing for a holiday gathering, seeing family and friends, and gift-giving can feel overwhelming and lead to exhaustion and burnout.

What are some ways to cope with stress?

Here are a few ideas that may help you reduce your stress this holiday season, suggested by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA):

Ask for help - support is essential! Family, friends, professional caregivers, and support programs can all offer help. Be sure to ask for and share what you need.
Get a good night's sleep - sleep is one of the most important ways to recharge and renew our mind and body each day. Lack of sleep can lead to irritability, low mood, and have unintended physical consequences.
Get a little exercise - taking a short brisk walk, practicing gentle yoga, or other ways to get your muscles moving can help refocus your mind.
Eat a healthful diet - fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and especially water nourish the body best. Alcohol, sweets, and processed foods tend to do the opposite.
Take things one day at a time - if it is not an emergency, do not make it into one! Prioritize what is most important, and take care to set reasonable goals.
Make time for yourself - this may be the most important suggestion of all!