Navigating the Holidays With Chronic Illness

By Kristal Kent

1 min read

As the holiday season approaches, with all the joyful and merry moments, this time of year is often stressful!

Individuals of good health find themselves to be affected by holiday stressors, increased fatigue and worry.

Individuals with chronic illness/mental health conditions find the holiday season even more stressful, with increased fatigue and exacerbation of symptoms.

To help manage my health during the holiday season, I often shop for gifts online, use holiday gift bags (no gift wrapping), eat extra healthy between holiday gatherings and I am very selective what holiday parties/gatherings I go to. I also make sure to carve out more time for self care and rest.

What are some ideas or strategies you use to help manage your symptoms during the holidays?

COMMENT BELOW! Your ideas and tips just may help womeone else!

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Mike.Hellman Member
Many experience stigma that is not comfortable around family who do not understand the loneliness. Don't spend it alone, unless you choose to do so. Call friends. Ask what they are doing. Could we get together before or after. Visit holiday happenings, together or alone. Make it your own. I was lucky to drive around to friends places for Thanksgiving and visit 4 homes for about 20 minutes each. Cheered me up without commitment for long visits or meals.
1. DonnaFA Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="Mike.Hellman" user-id="9900750"/>, those are all wonderful ideas, Mike! It allows you to visit, and let them know they are important without overtaxing ourselves! I'm an introverted hermit, and that even sounded tolerable to me! - Warmly, Donna (Team Member)
CourtneyWalls Member
<inline-mention username="Kristal Kent" user-id="8683662"/> our family also has a lot of December birthdays (including mine) which makes this time of year extra exhausting. I follow similar tips to yours in managing my energy and being selective about which gatherings I attend and try to bring a “safe dish” that meets my IBD needs if I have time. I will add that making time for those activities that give you joy can keep the holidays a positive time (not just exhausting). Though I do most of my shopping online, my husband and I walk the restaurant/mall area near our home once or twice each season to enjoy the lights and have a tradition of making shortbread cookies with my step-son (and decorating them ridiculously tacky).
1. DonnaFA Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="CourtneyWalls" user-id="8797976"/>, I am narrowing down my cookie offerings this year - that breaks my heart! That has been a joy since I was a child, and I love making them and sharing them. I love trying new recipes, but this year, I'm making a couple of favorites. - Warmly, Donna (Team Member)
2. Kristal Kent Moderator
 <inline-mention username="CourtneyWalls" user-id="8797976"/> thank you for sharing! Bringing a dish to a holiday gathering, that is supportive of your health, is a great idea! Carving out small festive activities and small, family traditions are just as big, and as important, as big ones! BTW, tacky decorated cookies always taste better 😉
DonnaFA Community Admin
<inline-mention username="Kristal Kent" user-id="8683662"/>, I have used your shopping tips for years - it really does take a load off as far as stress (It helps for availability and bargains, too, minus the fatigue!). We have certain traditions, and the food traditions can by simplified by small cheats, without compromising quality. We use them to compensate for "never enough time", and fatigue. Thanks for sharing this timely article! - Warmly, Donna (Team Member)
1. Kristal Kent Moderator
 <inline-mention username="DonnaFA" user-id="8759780"/> Holiday Chronic Illness Hacks certainly come in handy! I typically have all my holiday shopping done before thanksgiving. lol I’ve also ordered full meals to be delivered for various holiday parties and hosted pot luck holiday get togethers. Definitely makes things easier on my chronically ill body! 
2. DonnaFA Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="Kristal Kent" user-id="8683662"/>, I hear that! It's so important to realize that finding help, in whatever way we can, be it online shopping, ordering meals in or taking "shortcuts", doesn't diminish our commitment to or involvement in the holidays - it just ensures that we save the best of ourselves to enjoy with family and friends. <3 - Warmly, Donna (Team Member)