As the effects of the pandemic continue to linger, and with holidays around the corner, there’s a question we might be asking ourselves, does coping during holidays have to be difficult?
As much of an inconvenience as it is, staying home and limiting travel remains the safest option. Some individuals might choose to travel, and will hopefully do it as safely as possible. However, the truth is that many of us will not do for a variety of safety reasons. You should consider skipping your holiday travel, especially if you are thinking about visiting older relatives or family members who are unvaccinated due to medical conditions.
This unfortunately leaves many of us in a sad position: spending the holidays alone. For those in recovery and sober, this can be a vulnerable and difficult position.
Even though the CDC does offer their advice on holiday gatherings during Covid-19, the safest thing to do is have a gathering of only the people who already live in your home. For many who live alone, this is easier said than done. It is, however, well worth it.
While more than 200 million people have had at least one vaccination, Covid-19 has not disappeared. Unfortunately, spikes are likely to occur in the coming months of the new year. Don’t treat the pandemic as over and done with, even though many of us are tempted to do just that.
So if you play it safe (as we all should), read further on our guide to sober living, our life skills training, and coping with recovery during holidays alone. You may discover some unique things to do that you wouldn’t have considered.
Staying Sober During Holidays Can Be Challenging
Numbers have dropped significantly since Americans started receiving vaccines in the early part of 2020. This is great news, and fatalities have definitely declined. However, this holiday season will still require careful considerations for safety.
With the arrival of colder weather, we will have the urge to spend our times socializing indoors. The CDC points out the fact that doing anything indoors carries a bigger risk, especially if you’re in a crowded public space such as a restaurant or church.
So, what do you do when it’s cold and you want to spend time with some friends and family? Well, here are some good options.
- Secret Santa: Secret Santa is an excellent way for everyone in your social group to gather, give and receive presents, but also stay socially distant. With Secret Santa, all you have to do is send out one gift instead of a bunch of small gifts to everyone. Considering the cost of shipping and postal delays, the fewer presents, the better. Opening gifts over Zoom continues to be a great way to gather and socialize safely.
- Zoom Gingerbread House Contest: This has always been a popular tradition for many families. For people who have never made a gingerbread house, it can be fun to learn. For the experienced few, it can be rewarding to teach others how to do it. And of course, there’s the chance to snack on some icing and cookies afterwards.
- Christmas Lights: Another magical event during the holidays are the Christmas decorations. No matter where you live, there’s probably a particular neighborhood or street that’s famous for such decorations. Therefore, this is an excellent opportunity to hop in the car with family members and enjoy the lights of the season.
- Friendly Online Poker: This is a family classic. There are a variety of free internet services that not only allow you to easily play cards with your family, but also provide video as well.
For Those Spending the Holidays Without a Partner
No one has to tell you how discouraging it can feel to be single during the holidays. However, the pandemic shouldn’t stop you from finding a loved-one. Clearly, dating now is a little different considering the circumstances. However, you can still find ways. For example, there’s online dating for a start.
Online dating was very popular even before the pandemic, so in that sense, nothing has changed. Here are some suggestions on what to do during the date. These suggestions are meant to be done over Zoom. Even socializing with one person could be dangerous as most people dating often tend to mingle with a variety of people.
- Cozy Night: You can have a cozy night even without being in the same place. How? Turn on the fireplace app on YouTube through your TV, make some hot cocoa, wear your comfiest clothes, light a candle, and chat over Zoom.
- Netflix and Chili: There’s a Chrome Extension called Netflix Party that allows two separate people to watch a movie together. So kick back, make some chili for the cold night, and watch a funny holiday movie together.
- Holiday Cookie Bake-Off: Bake your favorite Christmas cookies and see whose turn out better.
- Have a Mocktail Party: Sharing how to make mocktails is always a fun time. Even for people who do drink from time to time might want a drink but not necessarily something with alcohol. This is where things like @Mocktail.Life can help.
Seasonal Depressive?
If you suffer from seasonal depression, you are far from alone. According to Psychology Today, more than 10 million Americans also have seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and even more may suffer from a milder version of SAD. Adding the stress of a pandemic, it is important to do your best to find the best help.
Of course, talking to a therapist will be beneficial in all areas. However, keeping in contact with your friends and family is also very helpful. Talking to loved-ones will provide joy to both parties involved. However, you can also do a variety of things during the dark winter months to help keep SAD at bay.
- Develop a Green Thumb: If you are a black thumb, start with a beginner plant like a snake plant or a philodendron.
- Take a Bath with Epsom Salt: Relaxation is the answer to SAD. A bath with Epsom salt will help you psychologically and physically relax. The magnesium in the salt is actually intended for just this purpose.
- Buy a Light Therapy Box: Chances are, if you have been struggling with seasonal depressive disorder you know about light therapy boxes. If not, here is a helpful review of the best light therapy lamps.
- Take Vitamin D: Vitamin D is one the most common vitamin deficiencies. This is especially common during the winter months. We normally obtain Vitamin D from the sun while outdoors, but when it’s cold and dark for four months we become severely deficient. Vitamin D directly effects our mood and how we regulate our emotions. By taking this supplement, you can help maintain your peak mental health.
- Spend Time Outside: Getting some fresh air and vitamin D always helps. It might be cold but getting your body up and moving, sightseeing, and fresh air can help ground you and bring your spirits up.
- Create Your Hygge Corner: Cleaning, organizing, and cozying up your home can help you feel more at home in your house. Your corner could include a light therapy lamp, a comfortable chair, a throw pillow, plush pillow, and a nightstand with a stack of books.
- Dive Into a Novel: Speaking of books, this can be a great way to travel while stuck at home. When we feel depressed, we might turn to entertainment to alleviate our blues. Frequently, this turns into hours and hours of TV and social media. When we read, we still obtain the same satisfaction of entertainment, but it also stimulates our brain and creativity which can directly affect our overall mood.
For the Lonely
Even before the pandemic, loneliness has always been a significant problem for many people. Unfortunately, with the pandemic, it has become even worse. Loneliness is a very dangerous situation for individuals in recovery, but when you combine that with the stress of a pandemic and the holiday season, it’s not a good recipe.
Therefore, for many people it might seem impossible to do something about this. For instance, coming to terms with your loneliness might mean admitting difficult truths. However, it is essential to be honest about your emotions. Not doing so could jeopardize your recovery. That being said, if you are feeling really lonely during these holidays, attempt one of these:
- Send Postcards to Family & Friends: It doesn’t take much time at all, but buying a bulk order of cards, writing a personal message, and sending them out can mean a lot for your loved ones. These personal notes will help you feel better and will make the recipient’s day.
- Treat Yourself: Self-indulgence isn’t always the answer, and might not help every time (but sometimes it does). However, moderation is always key. Maybe this means getting a message or perhaps a manicure. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Perhaps it’s as simple as going to bed early and getting that much-needed beauty sleep. Do whatever works best for you.
- Say Hello: We are all lonely during these times. Maybe someone you haven’t talked to in a while feels the same way you do and could use someone to talk to. Therefore, it can be a good idea to send something as simple as a “thinking of you” text. This can mean a lot to them and even spark up on old conversation.
- Schedule Your Month: Try to stay busy if you are feeling lonely. Fill up your calendar with daily activities, and if possible even plan out your days by the hour. You can spend your hours with Zoom calls, taking an online class, hiking, or tackling a home project. Anything to help keep you busy.
- Volunteer: Volunteering at places like the animal shelter, homeless shelter, boys and girls club, or the United Nations can help bring purpose to your day. Doing something for others without anything in return is extremely rewarding and has shown to make us happier. There are also online options as well.
If You Are Struggling to Stay Sober
If you’ve ever been through the holiday season in recovery, you are only too aware of the struggle. Not having social gatherings is not ideal, however this also means fewer temptations this year. Unfortunately, not having friends and loved ones to socialize during these times can be just as hard. If this is your first time going into the holidays sober, it can be even more difficult.
The Good news is that you can make it through this. There is no need to drink and you can help bring yourself out of dark moods when they emerge. Other than connecting with your loved ones over Zoom, text, letters, or text, there are a variety of things you can do to boost your mental strength against cravings.
- Attend Online Meetings: Group meetings are now available online. No matter who you are, there are groups out there for you. These do not have to be limited to just AA or NA meetings. Check out the recovery support around you, here.
- Talk To Your Therapist: Therapy is always a great choice to keep your mind on track, especially during the holiday season. Start today and be proactive by scheduling a few extra sessions around this time. If you do not have a therapist, now could be an excellent time to find one who specializes in addiction recovery
- Create A Gratitude List: If you’ve ever attended a group therapy session, chances are you are familiar with this exercise. While it might be a bit cliché, it works. For instance, if you feel sad about being socially distanced, make a list of things you are grateful for like a home, the things in your home, your health, and your cherished relationships. Too often, we take for granted the things we’ve earned over the years. Try to stop thinking about the “next thing I need” and remember that we have everything we need already.
- Remember Your Health Routine: When you feel down or are struggling in your recovery, you might supplement your cravings with other unhealthy habits like junk food, TV, and sleeping. Find the health routine that works for you. If it isn’t fun, you won’t be able to stick to it. Find a recipe that is both healthy and fun to make. Join a sports league (that is socially conscious). Whatever it might be, try to align being healthy with also having a good time.
- Immerse Yourself in Recovery Content: In recovery, you are always learning new techniques and life skills. Recovery blogs and podcasts are a great way to focus and learn from the recovery mindset. Hearing others tell their story and listening to their experiences can be greatly beneficial. For some starters, check out these podcasts.
Holidays can be bittersweet in recovery. The temptations are always there as people associate these times with when they were using or drinking. Loneliness during these times can be just as vulnerable to recovery. Hopefully, this guide has helped you spark some ideas on how you can prepare for these times and overcome all the sadness of dark days and isolation.
Remember that it is OK to let yourself grieve. Being sad is a normal human emotion that is only natural when we are unable to see our friends and family. It is OK to miss them and long for human contact. Give yourself the time to grieve, but not to dwell on it. Get proactive and start making your unusual 2021 holiday plans. This year may not be one the absolute best, but at least we will be able to come out ahead without a drink.
If you’re having difficulty with staying sober during the holidays, you may need a recovery center in Tampa, Florida. Don’t hesitate to call us at 888.707.2873 if you need help.
