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

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

However, beyond the restrictions and precautions applied to minimize the risks of contagion, There are another series of adjustments that we must make to adapt to the circumstances of a Christmas in pandemic. These are less objective in nature and have to do with Psychology: What to do to emotionally manage these festivities in a time of social and health crisis? Let's see several tips on this.

• Related article: "Emotional management: 10 keys to master your emotions"

Tips to psychologically manage a Christmas pandemic

Here are several guidelines for behavior and useful tips to not only ensure your physical health (and that of children). others), but also do everything possible to enhance emotional well-being during a Christmas marked by the coronavirus. Some of them are applicable to the Christmas holidays of any year, and others are specifically designed for the COVID crisis.

1. Set a ceiling for spending before the desire to "compensate"

One of the main concerns that take place during the Christmas season is the expense that they suppose for the Most families hold all kinds of events, parties, and hearty meals with family and loved ones. dear. In this phenomenon there is a part of social pressure fueled by marketing campaigns and consumerism. What's more, many people try to spend a lot to compensate for the inability to spend a Christmas together (or the fact of spending it with many physical limitations).

Do not fall into that trap: if something makes Christmas special it is its symbolic nature and the fact that it is an excuse to strengthen ties with our loved ones, and this is independent of what is bought or left purchase.

Thus, in order not to overwhelm ourselves excessively and not find surprises in our finances at the end of the month It is advisable to set a maximum cost in advance that should not be exceeded during the celebrations.

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

• You may be interested in: "What is emotional intelligence?"

2. Take the test before the meeting

Another of the most useful tips to spend the safest possible Christmas in times of pandemic is suggest that all family members take even one quick test before dinner or any other gathering of people who are not living together.

In this way, we will not only be able to keep the risk of spreading the coronavirus to elderly people or vulnerable family members who have more to a minimum. risk when contracting the disease, but it will also affect 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 a context of contagion risk will allow us not to be distracted by fear of the virus.

• Related article: "Hypochondria: causes, symptoms and possible treatments"

3. Take advantage of the technological potential of video calls

Today, attendance or non-attendance at a Christmas dinner is relative: video calls offer a connection in direct communication that allows you to speak and “be there” virtually, something that people of all walks of life can benefit from. ages.

4. Make preparations in advance

Another of the essential keys to spend Christmas as calm as possible both in the period of pandemic as without it is to organize efficiently and in advance each of the celebrations scheduled. What's more, This will prevent us from ending up spending a lot to “compensate” for the lack of planning, something that we already saw that can happen. This is important not only to avoid financial 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 commit to collaborate so that everything exit correctly and do not leave to the last moment neither the purchase of the gifts nor the preparation of the meal.

• Related article: "Time management: 13 tips to take advantage of the hours of the day"

5. Open the windows

Open the windows for a few minutes with some frequency when we are indoors with other people of different Bubble groups or people living together has become one of the most common Christmas protocols in recent years. Scientific research carried out in this regard shows that outdoors the risk of contagion is very low, so the more we do to turn the place of lunch or dinner into a terrace, the better, and it will also result in the feeling of Security of those present.

6. Keep distances

Another of the security protocols to deal with infections that have already become norms of coexistence during the day to day is to maintain the distance of one and a half meters between people both outdoors and in the home. This is to avoid long hugs and close contact, but it shouldn't make communication too difficult at a large table. in which it is possible to keep a meter and a half between us and the people most vulnerable to health problems. And as far as possible, we must try to make diners sit by leaving each other a greater distance than usual.

7. Don't obsess over surface disinfection

Research on contagion dynamics shows that the risk of the coronavirus is transmitted by direct contact with surfaces is low (at least with pre-release versions). omicron). Because, Although good hand washing is more important than in other circumstances, it is advisable not to become obsessed with disinfecting absolutely everything and dedicate our efforts to other more effective prevention measures.

8. Remind those who are not

The Christmas dates are a period of celebration with family and friends in which we also usually 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 support others in the possible feelings of discomfort linked to grief.

• You may be interested in: "Grief: coping with the loss of a loved one"

9. Don't obsess over the perfection of the event

Some people who present high levels of self-demandthey can become obsessed with protocol and with everything going well during the celebration, and even get very frustrated if it doesn't.

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

10. If you don't see it clearly, postponing dinner is not a defeat

The cancellation of social events of all kinds is the order of the day and is currently also It is common for many Christmas dinners to end up being canceled or postponed due to some contagion.

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