Cancer changes all parts of your life…including how you navigate through the holidays. As daunting as December may seem – yes – you CAN experience hope and light in this season. As you’ve likely learned throughout the challenges in your cancer journey, every step you take to move forward can bring strength to your soul.
Your Emotions Are Real
Many overwhelming emotions like anger, anxiety, depression, loneliness, denial can be magnified during holidays…all while others around you are happy.
- Acknowledge each emotion as they occur and possible triggers from past carefree holidays.
- Talk about your feelings to a friend or loved one or write them down in a journal.
- Thankfulness and practicing kindness can take the edge off intense emotions.
- Write down each day something you are grateful for.
Prepare And Plan
Planning can help reduce the overwhelm and stress sometimes associated with the holidays.
- Planning strategies:
- Think about which holiday tradition(s) or activity(s) are most important to you.
- Consider the effort involved and how much you are up to do this year.
- Prioritize each activity, taking into account if you will have help.
- Decide what and how much you’re going to do – cut back if necessary.
- Allow for flexibility to change plans and activities.
- KISS – Keep it Simple Sweetie in these areas!
- Holiday cooking and decorating
- Gift-giving – shop online. Send gifts directly to recipients.
- Creating new traditions
- Ask for help.
Dealing With Others – Isolation Or Interaction?
- Set boundaries with others in your life that are comfortable for you.
- Try to spend time with people who understand your journey as best as possible and who have been a source of comfort and help through your diagnosis and/or treatment.
- Recognize your need to be alone OR to be around others. Aim for a healthy balance.
- How to handle holiday invitations and events with less stress:
- Decide ahead of time whether to accept or decline invitations.
- You can shorten your visits.
- It’s okay to say “no”.
- Make decisions based on your own needs and not others’ expectations.
- Reach out to others with a card or a phone call who are also struggling or alone.
Take Good Care Of Yourself
- Be mindful of your physical and emotional limitations and pace yourself.
- Take time to rest – nap when you need one, if possible.
- Consider healthy food choices: try to limit high fat, high sugar foods.
- If you decide to go to someone’s home for a holiday meal, check what’s on the menu.
- Try to exercise or keep moving. Exposure to sunlight is beneficial.
- Remind yourself how you found strength through diagnosis and treatment.
- Participate and continue in wellness programs through Support Connection or a survivorship center.
- Continue stress-reducing practices you are currently benefiting from.
- Let go of what you can’t control – a stress-buster!
- Gratitude goes a long way toward good health.
- Remember to breathe…the deeper the better.
Just as your cancer journey is as unique as you are, so are your needs during this season. Wherever you are on this journey, hope and joy are possible in the midst of difficulties.
REMEMBER: Support Connection Peer Counselors are here for you to listen and help you navigate this holiday season and year-round.