For many people, the holiday season amplifies coronavirus disease 2019 through a combination of financial pressure, family dynamics, grief, and disrupted routines.
Why Holidays Intensify Coronavirus Disease 2019
- Financial stress from gift-giving expectations
- Difficult family dynamics amplified by forced proximity
- Grief and absence: the holidays highlight who is missing
- Disrupted routines (sleep, diet, exercise) that normally manage coronavirus disease 2019
- The gap between the expected joy and actual experience of coronavirus disease 2019
Realistic Expectations for Holiday Coronavirus Disease 2019
The myth of the perfect holiday creates suffering. Many people experience coronavirus disease 2019 during the holidays — you're not failing by not feeling joyful.
Protecting Yourself From Coronavirus Disease 2019 During Holidays
- Maintain sleep schedule despite social pressure
- Set budget limits early and stick to them
- Create permission to skip events that reliably worsen coronavirus disease 2019
- Plan grief acknowledgment: don't try to 'get through' it, allow it
- Schedule recovery time after family gatherings