A Workbook for Planning Your Self-Care During the Holiday Season
During the busy and sometimes stressful holiday season, it is crucial for caregivers to make time to take care of themselves. Here is a workbook to help you think through and plan your self-care during the holidays.
Workbook for Preparing for the Holidays
Being a caregiver can be especially challenging during the holiday season. While the holidays can be a time for gratitude and celebrating your community, the additional stress of engaging with large gatherings of family and friends, traveling, and adapting to different schedules can take its toll on your loved one, and on you, too.
During this busy time, it is crucial for caregivers to make time to take care of themselves. Here is a workbook to help you think through and plan your self-care during the holidays.
To learn more about caregiver self-care during the holidays, see “Enjoying the Holiday Season as a Caregiver.”
Set Realistic Expectations
The holidays are a time of joy and celebration, but in your current circumstance it simply may not be possible to fulfill all of your expectations. In many cases it's better to have fewer, more meaningful experiences.
Some expectations I can let go of are:
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Come to Terms with Your Fears
Do you have concerns about an upcoming holiday? Are you concerned about attending a large gathering with your loved one, and what might happen? Listing your concerts and sources of worry can help you come to terms with your feelings, and make your fear let overwhelming, and therefore more manageable.
Some of my fears are:
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Seek Support
Don’t be afraid to reach out to others for help during this busy holiday season. Your friends and family want to help, but often don’t know what you need. Make a list of specific areas of help that you need, and who among your family, friends, or community that may be able to help you.
Things I need help with are:
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Express Your Feelings
Caregivers of loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s may undergo intense feelings of grief, helplessness, and despair. Find outlets among family, friends, or counselors to express these feelings.
Some of the feelings I have been experiencing are:
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Take Care of Yourself
It’s crucial that during the busy time of the holiday, you need to make time to focus on caring for yourself. That means healthy eating, avoiding excesses, and getting plenty of rest and sleep.
Ways I will take care of myself during the holidays:
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Show Gratitude
Though you may be going through difficult times at the moment, take time to reflect on the many joys you have experienced with your loved one in the past, and how you might celebrate them in the present and future. Expand your reflection to include all the people around you during the holidays.
I am grateful for these things:
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Plan Ahead
Making a plan is critical for reducing anxiety. Talk to your family, friends, and loved one, and understand their expectations and needs.
What I need to prepare for the holidays:
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Leverage Your Beliefs
Holidays can sometimes put a harsh light on your current circumstances, and might make you question your fundamental beliefs. Set aside time for mediation, prayer, or reading spiritual literature.
I can leverage my beliefs through:
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