The holiday season is a wonderful time of the year to relax, spend time with friends and family, and look forward to the year ahead. However, the holiday season can be an overwhelming and stressful time for people with disability and those that support them.
Disability and rehabilitation experts from the Arriba Group, a group of companies specialising in disability, mental health, and corporate health, outline why this can be a tricky time and provide, advice for navigating the festive season with self-care.
“A lot of businesses close over the Christmas period, which means many clients with disability will not have regular appointments with their support providers. While an allied health clinician would provide exercises or activities to do over this time, not having an appointment can make people feel more isolated. They may also have family or friends heading away for the holiday season that they would usually rely on to be there, which may lead to them to feeling some negative emotions and isolation,” says Juliet Middleton, CEO of LiveBig, a specialist allied health and assessment services provider for people with disability, including those on a NDIS plan.
“Changes in regular schedules can also lead to heightened anxiety and feeling overwhelmed. For carers or individuals with a disability, booking accommodation and making travel arrangements can also be incredibly stressful,” explains Ms Middleton.
For those trying to maintain rehabilitation or recovery during this period, it can be challenging to stay focused.
“Recovery is a journey that is built on each day by taking active steps forward. While it can be a challenge over this period with the distraction of holidays, it is important for the injured worker to continue with their program so their recovery is not impacted. By neglecting rehabilitation and becoming unfocused, it can stop people moving forward, which may delay recovery or impact their success,” explains Renee Thornton, General Manager of Rehab Management, a leading workplace rehabilitation provider.
“For managing mental health issues, the festive season can also magnify financial issues, family conflict and loneliness and increase stress for people with anxiety and depression.”
Strategies to help yourself, loved ones and carers manage the holiday period
Keep in touch with friends and family –
To manage feelings of isolation over the Christmas period, make regular plans with friends and family that you can look forward to. This could include going for a walk or doing a festive activity with a friend. If you are unable to see friends and family face-to-face, there are plenty of other ways to stay in touch. Organise regular phone calls, video chats or even plan some virtual activities. The important aspect is engaging with people during this period.
Respect your limits –
While it’s important to stay in touch with friends and family, you also need to listen to your body and know your limits. Parties and social gatherings, although enjoyable, can fill one’s calendar quickly and lead to feeling overwhelmed. Plan your schedule in advance and be sure to include time for you to rest and relax.
Plan ahead –
When organising transport, it’s important to take into consideration the accessibility requirements needed for the person with a disability and to prebook modes of transportation such as taxis. If you use an electric wheelchair, you know there’s nothing worse than running low or running out of power. Making sure your chair is charged is one less thing to worry about when you’re trying to enjoy your time over the break.
Practice healthy habits – Create a routine that incorporates healthy habits such as regular exercise, eating well and getting enough sleep. Getting fresh air and communicating with those around you are also some great techniques to keep your spirits high over the holiday period.
Take care of yourself –
The holidays can often mean taking care of others and making sure they are enjoying themselves. Don’t forget; you can’t fill someone else’s cup if yours is empty. Set a positive example for others about the importance of taking care of yourself during busy and stressful times. Eat well, exercise regularly and create a good sleep routine so that you have the energy and resources to extend yourself for others.
“Christmas can be a time for celebration, but it can also be challenging for people. Whatever this festive period means to you, it’s important that everyone feels able to manage their health and wellbeing during this time. This starts with looking after yourself! Try to minimise your stress at Christmas by avoiding taking on more tasks than you can manage. It is okay to say No! Remember to energise and fuel your body by eating well, sleeping well and keeping active,” added Ms Middleton.
