Expert: Arcadia
For many, the holidays are the best time of year filled with family get-togethers, feasts and fun traditions; but for some seniors, this can be the most depressing of all seasons as they pine for lost loved ones. And in a lot of cases, with family hundreds of miles away, seniors struggle to decorate, shop, prepare a meal and start to feel sad that they can’t move around like they did when they were younger.
5 Tips to Beat Depression During the Holidays
Encourage seniors to exercise – Studies reveal that staying physically active not only makes people feel good but it has the same effect on mood and brain chemistry as antidepressants.
Keep alcohol use to a minimum – Alcohol is a known depressant. Create some other festive drinks such as eggnog or a flavored hot chocolate to help seniors cheerfully toast to the season.
Don’t feel obligated to buy lots of gifts – Giving certainly can make you feel good but in times of financial despair, giving gifts can create a lot of stress. Help seniors write and send personalized cards to family and friends.
Stay connected socially – Giving back greatly improves people’s moods and increases their sense of self-worth. Caregivers can also teach seniors how to use computers or cell phones to stay socially connected with family and friends. They can take seniors to a local coffee shop or to look at Christmas lights for some holiday cheer outside the home.
Be a good listener – Sometimes all it takes to help a senior with the holiday blues is to simply listen. Through conversation, caregivers can help seniors live in the present (instead of dwelling on “the good old days”) and keep their holiday expectations realistic.
