By Dr. Lise Deguire | Contributor
As we usher in the holiday season, a palpable sense of anxiety pervades the atmosphere, accompanied by numerous concerns. The foremost worries revolve around health—both our own and that of our families. Are we able to drive safely to visit our elderly parents? Will our adult children be able to join us for Christmas celebrations? Additionally, many families face economic hardships. How many gifts can we realistically place under the Christmas tree this year? Can we even afford a tree at all?
I am grappling with similar overwhelming stresses as everyone else. For more than 35 years, I have celebrated New Year’s with a close-knit group of three friends, which gradually included our partners and children. This joyful gathering of twelve has been a longstanding tradition, but it will not happen this year, and I cannot express enough how disheartening that is.
Nevertheless, I am striving to make the most of this unusual year. For this holiday season, I’ve established a new daily routine for myself, adhering to five specific activities that help to cultivate a sense of calm, happiness, and peace. To make them easier to recall, I use the acronym M.E.C.C.A., a term that signifies “center.”
What does M.E.C.C.A. stand for?
1)Meditate: Begin your day with a short meditation session. I often listen to “Headspace,” which offers a concise ten-minute guided meditation (you can find more information here: https://www.headspace.com/). Admittedly, every morning I wake up thinking I might skip meditation. However, once I commit to it, I feel clarity, relaxation, and rejuvenation. It truly is the best way to kickstart my day.
2)Exercise: I ensure that I engage in physical activity every day. Due to COVID restrictions, I avoid gyms, but I can still walk my dog, use our elliptical trainer, or lift weights. Much like meditation, each time after I exercise I think, “Wow, I feel so much better!” Additionally, with the festivities often comes heavier eating and drinking, and exercise is essential to counteract those holiday temptations.
3)Create: Do you enjoy writing, painting, or quilting? Perhaps you once engaged in a creative pursuit back in school. Creativity is a powerful coping mechanism. It allows us to channel our emotions into something meaningful—be it beautiful, thought-provoking, or cathartic. Plus, why not leverage your artistic skills to create heartfelt holiday gifts? I have a cousin who crafts stunning handmade cards each Christmas, and though my skills don’t quite match hers, I eagerly anticipate her creations each year.
4)Connect: The holiday season often brings feelings of loneliness, especially for those who have lost loved ones. This year, many will feel the absence of family members, as most of us are confined to our homes. Make an effort to reach out to those you care about. Avoid just texting; pick up the phone for a conversation. It’s true, discussions may not lead to thrilling topics since everyone’s experiences often revolve around COVID-19. Still, connect with friends, relatives, and elders. A simple call can make a significant difference.
5)Accomplish: Dedicate time each day to tackle tasks you’ve been putting off. You know those projects that linger indefinitely? I had my share of them, but that’s changing! With the holidays approaching, there’s plenty to accomplish. Perhaps this year will be the one where I finally organize the bin filled with old wrapping paper, forgotten ribbons, and empty boxes. Every year I plan to sort it out, and I have a hunch this is the year I will achieve that goal.
Although it’s uncertain how long we will remain in this peculiar COVID state of limbo, I encourage you to embrace this unique holiday season by nurturing yourself and adhering to a grounding daily routine. You can find me meditating and exercising (albeit with reluctance), writing my blogs, and checking in with friends on New Year’s. I’ll also be in the back of my garage, sorting through that neglected wrapping paper.
Eventually, we will return to some semblance of normality. In the meantime, relish the twinkling lights on your neighbors’ homes. Stay safe and optimistic. Humanity has weathered challenging periods before, and we will navigate through this one as well. Wishing you all Happy Holidays!
Editors Note: Dr. Lise Deguire is a clinical psychologist in private practice and the author of *Flashback Girl: Lessons on Resilience From a Burn Survivor*. For more information, visitwww.lisedeguire.com.
ABOUT DR. LISE DEGUIRE:
Dr. Lise Deguire is a clinical psychologist with a private practice. After a severe burn incident in her childhood, she spent numerous years in hospitals undergoing various surgical treatments. Dr. Deguire graduated summa cum laude from Tufts University in 1985 and earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Hahnemann/Widener University in 1990. For the last fourteen years, she has practiced solo in Pennington, New Jersey. She authored her memoir, *Flashback Girl: Lessons on Resilience from a Burn Survivor*, and has made appearances on television, radio, and podcasts, in addition to being published in several outlets, such as *Psychology Today*, *Grown & Flown*, and *Medium.com*. Dr. Deguire also maintains a blog focused on psychological resilience and is a sought-after speaker at national events. She boasts over 10,000 followers across various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
