How to manage our emotions in the face of a Christmas pandemic

Psychological strategies to emotionally manage Christmas parties in times of COVID.

The coronavirus crisis has generated a real rupture in all kinds of social conventions, and has forced us all to take a series of special measures during Christmas celebrations or any other type of celebration.

However, beyond the restrictions and precautions applied to minimize the risks of contagion, there is another series of adjustments that we must make to adapt to the circumstances of a Christmas pandemic. These are of a less objective nature and have to do with psychology: what to do to manage emotionally these festivities at a time of social and health crisis? Let us see several advices in this respect.

Tips for managing a pandemic Christmas psychologically

Here are some useful behavioral guidelines and tips to not only look after your physical health (and that of others), but also do what you can to enhance your emotional well-being during a Christmas marked by the coronavirus. Some of them are applicable to any year's Christmas festivities, and others are specifically designed for the COVID crisis.

1. Set a spending ceiling in the face of the urge to "make up for it".

One of the main concerns that take place during the Christmas season is the expense involved for most families in celebrating all kinds of events, parties and abundant meals with family and loved ones. In this phenomenon there is a part of social pressure fueled by marketing campaigns and consumerism. In addition, many people try to spend a lot to compensate for the impossibility of spending Christmas together (or the fact that they spend it with many physical limitations)..

Don't fall into this trap: if something makes Christmas special, it is its symbolic character and the fact that it is an excuse to strengthen bonds with our loved ones, and this is independent of what is bought or not bought.

So, in order not to be excessively overwhelmed and not to find surprises in our finances at the end of the month, it is advisable to set a Christmas budget in advance. it is advisable to set in advance a maximum spending limit that should not be exceeded during the celebrations..

This is a great relief for many people worried about their economic situation at Christmas, since it assures us a previous control over all the expenses that are going to happen during a week or more.

2. Take the test before the meeting

Another of the most useful tips for having the safest Christmas possible in times of pandemic is to suggest that all members of the family take even a quick test before dinner or any other gathering of non before dinner or any other gathering of people who do not live together.

In this way we can not only keep the risk of spreading the coronavirus to elderly or vulnerable family members who are more at risk of contracting the disease to a minimum, but it will also have an impact on the mood of the attendees and it will be possible to get more out of the evening. Let's not forget that anxiety is often a response to uncertainty, and minimizing it in anand minimizing it in a context of risk of contagion will allow us not to be distracted by the fear of the virus.

3. To take advantage of the technological potential of the videocalls

Nowadays, attendance or non-attendance at a Christmas dinner is relative: video calls offer a live connection that allows you to talk and "be there" virtually, something that people of all ages can benefit from.

4. Make preparations in advance

Another of the essential keys to having the most peaceful Christmas possible, both in a pandemic and non-pandemic period, is to organize efficiently and in advance each of the scheduled celebrations. In addition, this will prevent us from ending up spending this will prevent us from ending up spending too much to "compensate" for the lack of planningsomething that we have already seen can happen. This is important not only to avoid economic problems, but also to enjoy Christmas without suffering from feelings of guilt.

That is why it is so important that each member of the family is committed to collaborate so that everything goes well and not leave for the last minute neither the purchase of gifts nor the preparation of the food.

5. Open the windows

To open the windows a few minutes with certain frequency when we are in places under roof with other people of different bubble groups or cohabiting people has become during the last years one of the most habitual Christmas protocols. Scientific research has shown that the risk of contagion is very low outdoors, so the more we do for theSo the more we do to convert the place of lunch or dinner on a terrace, the better, and also will result in the feeling of security of the people present.

6. Keep your distance

Another of the safety protocols to deal with contagions that have already become rules of coexistence during everyday life is to maintain a distance of one and a half meters between people both outdoors and at home. This includes avoiding long hugs and close contact, but should not make communication too difficult at a large table where it is possible to maintain a meter and a half distance between people both outdoors and at home. where it is possible to maintain a meter and a half between us and the people most vulnerable to health problems. And as far as possible, we should try to ensure that diners sit at a greater distance from each other than usual.

7. Do not become obsessed with surface disinfection.

Research on transmission dynamics shows that the risk of coronavirus being transmitted through direct contact with surfaces is low (at least with pre-omicron versions). Therefore, Although good hand washing is more important than in other circumstances, we should not become obsessed with disinfecting absolutely everything, but rather devote our efforts to other more effective preventive measures. and devote our efforts to other more effective preventive measures.

8. Remembering those who are not here

The Christmas season is a time of celebration with family and friends when we also remember those loved ones who are no longer sitting at the table with us.

Being with family or other loved ones is a good opportunity to share memories and a good opportunity to share memories and tuck in the possible feelings of discomfort associated with bereavement..

9. Do not obsess about the perfection of the event.

Some people who have high levels of self-expectation may become obsessed with protocol and that everything goes well during the celebration, and even get very frustrated if it does not.

During the Christmas dinner and in subsequent celebrations it is important to relax and spend time having a good time with our relatives, without obsessing about everything going well, about the food that will be served or the clothes we will wear.

10. If you do not see it clearly, postponing the dinner is not a defeat.

The cancellation of social events of all kinds is the order of the day and nowadays it is also common that many Christmas dinners end up being canceled or postponed because of some contagion.

Similarly, if there is a high risk of contagion for very old or sick people, it is also advisable to postpone the dinner for later, since the important thing, after all, is to have a good time at the end of the day. the important thing at the end of the day is to be together, not when..