Help Your Loved One Over the Holiday Hump

We all feel it. There’s a certain sadness that we all fight through after we put away the decorations and observe the discarded Christmas trees peppering the neighborhood. The festive music subsides. The colored lights go dark. The cards cease to arrive and the special events and visits drop off our calendars. In a short span of time, we go from the height of the holiday season to the depth of the winter chill.

The weeks that follow the holidays can feel emotionally difficult, especially for seniors. Though they’ve lived through many seasons, and undoubtedly have garnered emotional resilience alone the way, seniors can also experience a heavy emotional burden after the holidays subsides. Licensed Social Worker Linda Walter writes: “Holidays tend to bring up memories of those no longer with us, or those with whom we no longer have a relationship . . . Holidays can make us feel like we're going through the mourning process all over again.”

While this sounds like a lot of gloom and doom, there are also plenty of reasons to find beauty and joy in this chilly season that kicks off a whole new year. Use these tips to help your loved one over the hump.

Listen

If your loved one is experiencing post-holiday sadness, allow him or her to express that. Sit for a cup of tea and hear what they have to say about what they are experiencing. Allow him or her to get those feelings out - uninterrupted. It’s ok to be sad at this time of year, and expressing those feelings can help. Keep an eye out, though, if your loved one expresses that s/he is having trouble getting over the sadness, is having trouble getting motivated to do once beloved activities or is experiencing thoughts of self-harm. These may be indicators of a deeper mental health issue.

Encourage activities

While we may want to hibernate during this difficult season, it’s important to resist that urge and get some events on the calendar. Encourage your loved one to get involved in the many community activities that are geared towards seniors. Advise him or her to talk with their doctors about what classes or activities may be appropriate for them, you can certainty help urge them to get out of the house by looking at what kinds of activities are offered and encouraging them to pursue those that may be fitting for them.

It can be hard to take that step in the right direction. Sometimes a little encouragement can make a big difference.

Encourage connection

Post-holiday is an ideal time to encourage your loved one to get connected via the Visiting Angels Social Care program. This way, seniors can engage with family members and share their pictures, stories and experiences. It’s a great way to stay connected by working with a Visiting Angels pro to get up and running on the internet and on social media. Your loved one will love it!

Keep the holiday glow alive

Part of what makes the holiday so special is the spirit of giving. When we help others, we live up to our own potential. Help your loved one find opportunities to share their talents with those in need. If your loved one crochets, for example, there are scores of charities that ask for a variety of handmade goods for newborns, children, even service members and their families.

In the same way, your loved one can sign on to be a letter writer to US military professionals, stationed overseas. Our military heroes are always in need of love and encouragement from those back home. Being that voice for someone in need can be beneficial to those on both sides of the equation.

Helping others feels good and can afford your loved one a fresh sense of purpose for 2020. Our world needs their love, wisdom and talent.

While this time of the year can be emotionally taxing, it also ushers in an opportunity to exhibit strength and emotional resilience. Invite your loved one to alter their perspective a bit so that they can see it that way.

Happy New Year from Visiting Angels Knoxville!