Embracing the Holiday Season: Finding Joy and Connection at The Boulevard Senior Living – St. Charles

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 Boulevard Senior Living – St. Charles, 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:

• remembering loved ones and friends we have lost through the years
• feelings of loneliness and isolation
• even the change in weather can cause increased depression

The signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress we should monitor for during the holiday season include:

• isolation
• crying
• anger
• change in appetite
• change in sleep patterns
• poor appetite

To help residents eliminate the holiday blues, the most important thing we can do is to love them, hug them, and keep them socially engaged with their friends and families. Loneliness is one of the most common causes of depression in older adults during the holiday season. To help combat that, we take a few extra minutes daily to smile and say hello or spend additional time with each resident while assisting them. Talking to them about the holidays and their special memories or the traditions they enjoy is essential.

Our community encourages new and fulfilling traditions. Talk to and educate the residents about new traditions and allow them to get involved in each special tradition and event.

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.