You really can eliminate caregiver stress from the hectic holiday season!What do you wish for most this holiday season? Good health for your family members? Peace on earth? Financial security? What if you could eliminate caregiver stress and simply take pleasure in the holiday season? What a gift that would be!
Caregiving can be overwhelming any time of the year, but the holiday season can send your stress level off the charts. There are ways, however, to ease holiday stress and truly enjoy the warmth, beauty, and love of the season. Our care experts recommend the following small steps that can make a big difference.
- Downsize gifting. Shopping for the perfect gift for everyone on your extended friends and family list can consume lots of your holiday time (and money!). There are a number of fun ways to simplify the process. For example, have each family member choose a name and purchase a gift for that person only. Then plan a potluck dinner with each person bringing a favorite dish and exchanging gifts.
- Modify traditions. If you have always been the one to host large family holiday gatherings, consider passing the baton to someone else. If the thought of hauling out each and every holiday decoration is overwhelming, choose several of your favorite items and leave the rest in the attic this year. Find ways to simplify and establish new traditions that place less pressure on you.
- Intentionally focus on the positives. Gratitude is a great tool for changing your outlook and mood. Create a simple gratitude journal in which you record what you’re most thankful for, and spend time each day reading through and reflecting on the list, adding to it as new thankful thoughts arise.
- Be open and honest. Forget about putting on a mask to cover up what’s really going on in your life. Let close friends and family in on the struggles your loved one is facing and how it’s impacting you. Sharing from the heart with those you trust to listen and understand is an incredible relief in and of itself.
- Enlist help. Caregiving should never be a solo endeavor. Taking regular breaks for self-care benefits both the person in your care and yourself. Let friends and family know exactly what they can do to help, and then do not hesitate to accept that support. Our caregivers are always available to help as well!
How Can Home Care Help?
Our care experts are helping eliminate caregiver stress for families like yours every day – during the holiday season and throughout the year! Our services are highly customized to allow older adults and their family members to choose the tasks they would like help with, while maintaining what they prefer to do themselves.
Contact JFS Care at 213-383-2273 for a complimentary consultation to find out exactly how we can partner with you in caring for someone you love in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, and the surrounding areas. Then take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy every precious moment with those you love!