Just about everyone on the planet has been making large accommodations to their lives or may be suffering deeply because of this pandemic, and it isn’t over yet. We may be exhorted to find the true nature of Hanukkah or Christmas, but the trick is how we do that solo or with our long-suffering nuclear family or partner.

 

With the only other option being to risk infecting and being infected by this potentially deadly virus, the whole idea of celebrating these holidays with loved ones and finding joy in spending the holiday with the same people we have been seeing way too much of for eight months is a challenge. Even Uncle Joe’s old jokes and cousin Sarah’s overcooked latkes may look attractive under the current circumstances.

 

Here are some ideas. We humans are still here because we are inherently flexible and adaptive. There are many ways to make the holidays special and provide a break from the everyday dreariness that is life during this pandemic. Think about which aspects of a holiday make things special. Maybe this is the year when we finally make our own overcooked latkes or Christmas turkey.

 

If we’ve always admired people that take the time to make lovely handmade gifts for others, do something to show the love of special friends and families. If we usually travel, perhaps decorate the home, make some extra food for a lonely neighbor, and take a day or two to goof off, relax and enjoy a break.

 

Create a weekly video chat with anyone else in our friend or family circle that is up for that kind of contact. Reach out to people that are going to be alone. Help someone that is not technically savvy set up their Wi-Fi or teach them how to use a video program like Zoom. That is a gift that keeps on giving,

 

Take some of the money we might have spent on extravagant gifts and adopt a struggling family in the community. Social scientists often cite research that shows helping others is one of the best antidotes for depression. Because everyone we know is also affected by the pandemic, none of us has a monopoly of sacrifice, although some have more hardships than others. Reach out, be creative, flexible and adapt to this new reality.

 

Joan-Marie Lartin, Ph.D., RN, is a psychotherapist in Carlisle and Gettysburg who provides clients with access to neurotransmitter testing and amino acid therapy, as well as therapy and neurofeedback training. For more information, call 717-961-0088.