The holidays can bring great joy, but it’s also a time of stress especially with a loved one in the hospital. How do you manage stress during the holidays?
A few years ago, around this time, I was stressed out of my mind during the holidays. Unexpectedly, my dad ended up in the emergency room one night and later, he was diagnosed with last stage of cancer. The next day, a case manager at the hospital told my family that we should plan for a funeral. One minute, I was trying to comprehend how my dad had cancer and at the same time try to process the fact that he was dying. These series of shocking event caused me great stress. On top of that, I was constantly running around the hospital trying to get ahold of a nurse to comfort my dad’s pains, but I couldn’t get anyone to help me. My soul screamed, “HELP!” I felt so hopeless and alone.
You might be in a similar position as I was back then. Your stress level may be at an all time high. You’re not alone. There’s hope in the midst of stress. Despite my stress, I survived taking care of my dad during the holidays and staying alive.
Five things that helped me survive the holidays:
1.Take care of physical health: It’s easy to forget about your physical needs as you take care of a loved one, but your physical well being is just as important. You can’t have the energy to take good care of someone else if you’re not in tuned with your body and physically well. A good way to remember good physical health is through the acronym, D.E.E.R. It stands for: Drink, Eat, Exercise, Rest.
2. Turn to a good friend/family member for comfort and support: Call up or meet up with a good friend/family member to talk about the stresses of life. Don’t let your stress consume you; process through it with a friend/family member. You can cry and lean on your friend/family member for support. Your friends and family want to help you during hard times. Don’t feel guilty asking for help or accepting help. You are not weak because you need help. Allow people to help you with big and small tasks. It will take the burden off your plate and others will feel happy that they could help you.
3. Take breaks: Remember to take a breather. Take a step out of the room to get some fresh air. Go for a walk to clear your mind. You’ll feel a lot better after you take a break.
4. Practice deep breathing:
- Breathe in through your nose for 5 seconds. While you’re breathing in, think about your stress, negative thoughts, worries, and fears. Be able to feel them.
- Hold your breath for 5 seconds. While you’re holding your breath, acknowledge the stress that you feel. You can also acknowledge your negative thoughts, worries, and fears.
- Breathe out through your mouth for 5 seconds. While you’re breathing out, release your stress and negative thoughts from your mind. Try saying something positive. Even though things might not be better, you can say, “I am releasing my stress; I choose not to stressed out by my circumstance.” By releasing your stress, you allow your stress not to consume you and you can be more free.
5. Pray and ask for prayer: I believe God can help alleviate my stress when I don’t know what to do and people can’t take away the pain. When I was under a lot of stress, I got down on my knees and plea for God to help me through this difficult time. My prayers were simple that started out with “Dear God, please help me manage my stress. Amen.” When I felt weak to pray on my own, I ask other people to pray for me.
I hope you don’t just survive over the holidays, but you’re able to thrive through difficult circumstances. Merry Christmas!
