Celebrating the Holidays During a Pandemic
Looking for New Ways to Find Joy
As the calendar turned to November, you may have had these thoughts:
What will the holidays look like this year?
How can we be joyful in the middle of a pandemic?
We are all called to find joy in uncertain times.
While COVID-19 has certainly thrown a wrench in many celebrations and family gatherings, it should not dissuade us from finding new ways to celebrate and experience the joy of the holiday season. As we approach the holidays, keep these ideas in mind not only to find joy but to maintain a positive attitude and outlook. If we are joyful, we can help others in our lives, including elderly parents or loved ones, find joy as well!
Embrace our homebound lifestyle.
If anything, more time at home has provided more opportunities to share different experiences with aging parents and family members. Consider taking time over the holidays to interview a parent about certain memories from their childhood. Ask a loved one to write down a cherished family recipe and then make it together. Sort through photographs while a parent is able to help you identify and label the images. We will not get this time back—try your best to take advantage of it.
Count your blessings.
Practicing gratitude is shown to reduce stress, improve our mood, and help us achieve a positive outlook. Keep a gratitude journal or quite literally list and count your blessings. We bet you will be surprised by the length of your list.
Listen to music.
Music can be an incredible mood booster. There are also proven benefits of music for seniors. Try turning on a favorite song or a holiday playlist while you are doing chores or providing care to a loved one.
Find safe ways to volunteer.
Giving back can be one of the most rewarding ways to find joy during the holiday season. Look for opportunities in your community to volunteer. You might collect highly needed items for a local pantry or adopt a family for the holidays, providing needed clothing, warm winter coats, and other items.
Of course, there are endless ways to find happiness in uncertain times. Even a simple smile can brighten someone’s day. These are just a few ideas. From all of us at McGregor PACE, we wish you a joyful holiday season!
