How to cope with illness during the festive season?

The winter festive season is a time of tradition and hope when you gather with your loved ones to cook, decorate, and have fun. It's the period when you look forward to better days ahead and are excited for the new year. But if you just had an accident and are dealing with severe health issues, you might feel like you want to skip the entire festive season and isolate yourself from the world that enters the holiday season. 

It's natural for you to feel concerned about the holiday season now that you're dealing with changes in your body, which also impact your mood and energy. It's also understandable that you worry about seeing people you haven't met since before the accident, who will have plenty of questions and will most likely treat you differently out of discomfort or sympathy. 

While suffering from a complex health issue is difficult, especially during the holidays, you can definitely cope with your illness and make the most of it. 

Set boundaries you feel comfortable with

Setting boundaries might not be easy for you, but it's time to learn to say no to protect your mental health because, during this period, you might not be in the mood to take part in all activities your loved ones organise. You can politely refuse your friends' invitations when you don't want to attend some events. Give yourself permission to establish some hard limits this winter season because it's more important to regain your mental and physical health. 

You'll most likely receive several invitations to visit your friends and attend events even if you're sick. However, it's paramount to prioritise your health, and therefore, you should limit the number of events you attend. Go to those you really want to attend and where you'll feel most comfortable. 

Before heading to an event, make sure to ask the host how long you're expected to spend there because your health might not allow you to exhaust yourself. The last thing you want is to prolong your recovery because you fail to care for yourself. 

Remove sensory stressors

If there's something everyone hates during the winter time, it's the overcrowded stores. Unfortunately, all the flashing lights, smells and busy places might cause you sensor issues even if you didn't suffer from any before. You're more sensitive during the recovery, and you need to stay away from sensory stressors that might make the process more challenging. Be prepared for the stressors you'll be exposed to in the following period, and talk with your doctor if you should get new medication. You can also invest in a pair of earplugs to turn down the volume of music if you plan to attend concerts or events with loud music. 

It would also be helpful for your mental health to hold those at fault for your accident accountable. And while it might be challenging to do it during your recovery, it's essential to know that you can benefit from the assistance of a personal injury lawyer who can handle everything for you. 

Assign tasks

Suppose you used to prepare everything for the winter holidays; this year, you need to assign some tasks, if not all of them, to prioritise your recovery. Even if you're having a small gathering at home, you still have to spend plenty of time cleaning the house, hanging decorations, preparing food, and completing other tasks. But your energy levels might be lower than usual, and you might feel overwhelmed only when you think about doing everything listed above. 

Ask your family to help you, and assign tasks according to their skills. You can supervise the preparations and provide them with recommendations when they find it challenging to do particular things but maintain your focus on resting. 

Prioritise what is meaningful to you

While you might be the type of person who likes to engage in all kinds of activities and attend as many events as possible during the holidays, this year, it's crucial to be wise about how you spend your time and energy. Prioritise the things, experiences, gatherings, and activities that usually bring you the most joy. Ditch those you find no meaning to attend. 

It's okay if your schedule looks different from last year's; everyone should understand that you're adapting to a new stage in your life. Make time and space for the things important for you and your family. It might mean baking cookies with your kids or watching movies with your spouse. Do whatever makes you happy. 

Self-care

This is the best moment to double up on self-care. You might have neglected to take care of yourself properly before getting injured, but now it's time to switch the focus. The winter holidays are stressful as they are, but considering that you're also injured, you are definitely going through a challenging period. The festive season is financially, emotionally, and physically taxing, and being more intentional about taking care of your mind and body is essential. 

Even if you hate the winter holidays, you can still stress yourself during this period because everyone is buzzing around you which might impact your mood. So, prioritise taking care of yourself and reach out for support when you feel you cannot handle things on your own. 

Try to stick to your routine

Over time, you created daily routines and routines for the winter holidays. Even if you might not be able to keep up with all of them due to your injuries, you should still allow yourself to engage in those you can because they can improve your mood and even alleviate your symptoms. Whether it's walking your dog in the park in the morning, decorating the yard with your children, reading stories in front of the fireplace, or getting more sleep, these routines are crucial for your well-being and you should stick to them. 

The above recommendations should help you manage the holiday season. However, it's crucial to adapt to your current health and don't force yourself. The secret to a fast-paced recovery is to listen to your body.