Embracing the Holiday Season: Finding Joy and Connection Amidst the Blues with The Princeton Senior Living

For many, the holiday season is a joyful, happy time built around togetherness, family, and friends. Still, for some, it can be very stressful and filled with overwhelming expectations, depression, and anxiety. The holiday season can be a reminder of those who are not with us anymore, financial limitations, sadness from being separated from loved ones, and the loss of treasured traditions.

At The Princeton Senior Living, we understand celebrating this time of year doesn’t have to be sad or overwhelming. It can be a peaceful time of reminiscing, volunteering, spending time with friends, and creating new traditions!

Some common causes of depression during the holiday season are:

• less time outside due to colder temperatures
• fewer sun hours
• remembering lost loved ones

The signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress we should monitor for during the holiday season include being more tired, forgetful, staying in their room more, and decreased appetite.

To help residents eliminate the holiday blues, we encourage participating in events promoting healthy coping skills. Loneliness is one of the most common causes of depression in older adults during the holiday season. To help combat that, we talk about the symptoms and provide resources.

Our community encourages new and fulfilling traditions by promoting activities that encourage exercise, healthy foods, and being with friends and our community family.

The holiday season means different things to each of us. The holidays are about family, friends, food, and tradition. For many, the smells, tastes, and decorations bring memories flooding back. We hope some of these ideas will help you as the holidays approach.