Okay, so we need to make a holiday self-care plan. This might seem overwhelming, but do not fear. Here’s mine for this year, hopefully it will help.<\/p>\n

Decide what you will not<\/em> do.<\/strong>\u00a0Many times, deciding what you will not do is far easier than figuring out what you are willing to do. For example, I do not go to holiday parties, shop in the mall, or drive on busy streets. From mid-November until January 2nd, I am mostly at home. I will not try something new. I make no promises to be anywhere or with anyone – I play everything by ear.<\/p>\n

Schedule everything, including rest.<\/strong>\u00a0Get out your calendar, it’s time to fill in some details. Figure out a weekly meal plan for the next month or so. Schedule when you will exercise, even if it’s a 10-minute walk each day. Put in your sleep hours and when you take your meds. When will you go grocery shopping? For example, I go every Sunday afternoon. Do not forget to schedule down time<\/strong>, especially as the calendar fills up with the kids’ holiday concerts.<\/p>\n

Practice typical self-care strategies with extra vigilance.<\/strong> I know that staying away from dairy and sugar help keep my depression manageable, so I am extra-vigilant about avoiding them during this time of year, which can be challenging. I also limit the amount of “treats” that I make and when I make them. I go to bed early and walk every day.<\/p>\n

Ask for help.<\/strong> While I revile the holiday season, I do like to shop for people. I do the bulk of my shopping online. If there are gifts that I can’t pick up during my weekly grocery trip to Fred Meyer, I ask my husband or a trusted friend to help me out. I also don’t wrap or deliver presents – that’s what the husband and kids are for.<\/p>\n

Focus on what you love<\/strong> – Okay, so I hate the holidays. I’ve admitted it. But I love my family. I love spending time with my kids. I invite them to do what I can do during this time of year, whether that’s going to the movies or my weekly grocery shopping trips or reading on the couch.<\/p>\n

Remember, the only thing that must be done<\/em> during the holidays is to take care of ourselves. We deserve that.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Every Christmas, like clockwork, I would get sick. Down for days, major flu-like symptoms, eventual antibiotics needed. This happened every single year during my twenties, when I didn’t understand that\u00a0the holidays season was the major time of year for my PTSD triggers. [Tweet “My brain and body enter into an extended PTSD event, a heightened […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n