46 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • DECEMBER 2021
ANXIETY IS UP AS THE HOLIDAY SEASON APPROACHES
continued from page 45
Family dynamics at holiday gatherings
oft en produce anxiety. “But this year,
there’s added anxiety over the fact that
we lost a year – how do we pick up where
we left off ?” Diedrick said. “Some family
members have not seen each other in a
long time, and some family members
may have passed away – whether or not
it was related to Covid – and they may
have been a strong fi gure in the family.”
Even for people who are fully vaccinated,
there is anxiety about whether
it’s safe to gather, with the virus still
present in the community.
Stephanie Laureano, a licensed master
social worker for Suff olk YJCC in
Commack, directs the organization’s
Hands On Huntington program, which
provides case management, social work,
and healthcare management for seniors
living in the community.
“As seniors are beginning to socialize
and reunite with families and integrate
back into the community, there is fear,”
Laureano said. “There are uncertainties
concerning vaccines, boosters, and
breakthrough infections, and seniors
are expressing anxiety about whether
it is safe to be with families, friends and
grandchildren.”
One senior who is immunocompromised
and her family have worked out
a plan so they can get together safely.
“They want to be together for the holidays,
so they decided that everyone
will get a Covid-19 test within three days
of seeing Grandma to keep her safe,”
said Tina Block, chief program offi cer
of adult services and a licensed master
social worker at Suff olk YJCC, which
provides a wide range of community
enrichment programs. “I think that’s
happening more frequently; people are
having diff erent types of conversations
about how they will celebrate safely.”
It’s not just seniors who are concerned
about safety.
“More people are traveling for the
holidays than last year, and many are
anxious over whether they are doing
the right thing,” Block said.
Diedrick said people are also feeling
anxious about appropriate pandemic etiquette,
wondering, “Do we wear masks?
Can I hug people? Can we sit down at the
congested dining room table?”
“There’s anxiety about which traditions
we can keep and what we can’t keep,”
she added.
Mental Health Tips for the Holidays
Here are some suggestions for managing
stress and anxiety during the
holiday season.
�� Acknowledge all your feelings. “If
you’re feeling anxious, acknowledge
that,” Diedrick said.
�� Talk about your feelings. “Expressing
how you feel to your family members
and friends and fi nding out whether
you are on the same page can alleviate
your stress,” Laureano said.
�� Plan to do things for the holidays, but
also know that it’s okay to say no. “Allow
yourself to be in the moment. You
have to be forgiving of yourself. We
might not be able to do everything yet."
�� On the fl ip side, be forgiving of others.
“Accept that they might not feel
comfortable meeting you,” Diedrick
said.
�� If you can’t be together physically,
find another way to connect, such
as Zoom or Facetime, over the holidays.
“Human connection is one
of the most important things that
supports positive mental health,
and it’s one of the things that’s been
very lacking over the last year and
a half,” Block said.
�� It’s important to practice self-care
every day. “Make sure you fi nd time
to do the things you enjoy doing,
whether it be meditating, walking
with your dog, or exercising,” Block
said.When reuniting with family, try
to set aside and let go of diff erences
from the past, Diedrick said.
�� If you need help, reach out. “There
are so many places you can go for
help,” Diedrick said. “Our agency and
other agencies provide a wide range
of services. There are telehealth and
mental health hotlines.”
PRESS HEALTH
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