Winter 2020 Survival Tips

The holidays are here and celebrating amidst the pandemic and aftermath of the fires is going to require us to, once again, alter the way we do things. For many families, this will mean another set of losses - loss of treasured traditions, celebrations, ways of connecting, etc. Keeping creative, flexible, and inventive with our celebrations will help us enjoy the festivities. Below are additional tips to keep in mind as we head into the holidays and the dark months of winter.

The tips below are helpful for yourself, as well as when you are supporting family and friends as they can stave off the temptation to vent. Venting feels good in the short run because it's an expression of a legitimate need for confirmation and validation, but it can quickly and easily spiral downwards creating more negativity and exacerbating the stress. The challenge is to seek and provide validation without getting too negative.

The following infographic lists strategies to try when you feel yourself begin to shift into the negative: