The holiday season brings a lot of events to the North Las Vegas area. This year, however, you may not be feeling it. Even as your family and friends gear up for the latest happenings in Las Vegas, you may find yourself wondering whether you can sit it out.
Is it okay to opt out of some holiday events this year? Of course! You may have any number of reasons for wanting to do so. You may still have health concerns, especially with the flu, RSV, and Covid on the rise. You may feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of holiday events out there, especially with many people returning to "normal" in the wake of years of pandemic isolation and canceled events. There's nothing wrong with canceling or opting out of holiday events you aren't prepared to attend this year.
Know Your Limits
As the holiday season approaches, it's no surprise that you may feel exhausted just thinking about all the items on your To-Do list. As you consider opting out of some of those holiday events, make sure you know your limits.
Financial Limits
Inflation has caused financial strain for around 56% of American families this year. You may know that you can't afford to attend every event on your list or that you want to try to limit spending during the holidays. Make sure you clearly define your financial limits ahead of the holiday season and stick to them.
Energy Limits
For many seniors, energy is a serious problem, especially during the busy holiday season. You may need to limit your activities based on your overall energy levels. For example, you might need a couple of days to recover after a big holiday gathering, or you may not feel up to an event that involves a lot of walking or staying on your feet for a long time. If you know that an event is going to be beyond your limits, canceling ahead of time can make it easier to handle the holiday season.
People Limits
Sometimes, being in a crowd of people can be overwhelming. In other cases, you may want to avoid large gatherings to help limit the potential for spreading illnesses of all kinds. Be clear about your limits for dealing with people, especially in large groups--and what precautions you want family members to take if they're going to be in your home or around you over the holidays.
Start Early
In many cases, you may need to change long-held traditions as you consider opting out of holiday events. If you are making big changes, start early. You may need to ask someone else to host a holiday event or ask family members which event they most want you to attend. By having those conversations before the holiday rush starts, you decrease the odds that you will get highly emotional feedback on the day of those events.
Stick To It
Once you've set your limits, stick to them! Don't give in to pressure to attend "just one more event" or to go to "just one more party." If you're unable to host family members in your home this year, be upfront about it, and stick to your decision.
Deciding what events you can attend over the holidays can be a challenge. Dealing with the aftermath of the holidays, including basic cleaning tasks or managing your own energy, can be even more challenging. For seniors in the Las Vegas or Nellis Air Force Base area, Senior Helpers North Las Vegas can help. Contact us today to learn more.