Ways to stay connected this holiday season

This 2020 holiday season may feel very different for many people than it has in the past. Given the stress of covid and the effect this has had on people being able to see family and friends, it is important to find ways to still feel loved and connected this holiday season. If you are feeling the stress this year, on top of going through a breakup, then making sure you are feeling plugged in to the ones you love is even more crucial! Below are some ways to celebrate and feel connected despite the stress and sadness this year may be bringing.

1. Write holiday cards to your loved ones

​Many people are not able to see loved ones this year or may not be able to see all their loved ones in the setting they are used to. With ‘Zoom fatigue’ feeling very real during covid, shifting to writing a card for loved ones to receive can be a way to still show gratitude and connect, without having to get online. Writing someone a handmade card can boost those feel-good hormones and allows you to think about your loved ones and all the things you enjoy about them! The process of putting them in the mail and having the people in your life receive them can also boost your mood.

2. Continue with traditions even if you can’t be with loved ones

Even if you may not be with family or friends this year, still celebrate! If you usually make a certain dessert with your family- make it anyways. If you typically all watch a certain movie or show this time of year- watch it by yourself, or plan a call and watch together. Still engaging in the things that bring joy, even though it may not look the same, can allow you to feel connected to loved ones despite not physically being with them. You can even still create new traditions and celebrations this year! Use this as an opportunity to get creative. 

3. Carve out time to connect without distractions

Connecting over a screen can feel different partly because it is easier to get distracted. These distractions can lead us to not be as present or not be fully paying attention to what the person on the other line is saying. During this season, try carving out time that is distraction-free. Put a call on the calendar for a certain day and time, and set aside any ‘to-dos’ or other distractions that can come up. Putting time to connect on the calendar makes it more likely that we will not only follow through, but will be more intentional and present with the time spent speaking with our loved ones. 

4. Lean into gift giving to show affection  

We all have different love languages and ways of receiving affection. For many people, quality time and touch may be the ways we do this. If you are not able to see loved ones, then quality time and touch may feel hard to give this time of year. If you cannot be with the people you care about this holiday season, leaning into gift giving as a way to show affection can help you feel connected, even at a distance. You do not have to break the bank to give a gift. A handwritten card, $5 Starbucks card or even homemade cookies can all be thoughtful gifts that make the people in your life feel loved and cared for by you. If you are typically not a gift giver, try leaning into getting creative this year with gifts and see if it helps you feel connected to your friends and family!

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