The holiday season is nearly here, and while it may bring up happy memories of years past, it can also stir up tough emotions for some people, like stress, grief, isolation and depression. Physical barriers to leaving one’s home during the winter, including bad weather, can amplify feelings of isolation and loneliness. It is important to remember that we are not alone, and there are steps we can take to ensure that we are staying emotionally healthy during the holiday season.
“People usually have a lot of happy memories during the holidays, but those memories can also bring a lot of grief,” says Elizabeth Anderson, a low vision rehab social worker at UW Health. “Grief for loved ones who are no longer with us, and even grief about one’s vision loss. This could be someone’s first holiday where they can no longer recognize the faces of family and friends, which can be really hard. It is, unfortunately, a very common feeling.”
If you are feeling isolated, it’s important to reach out and talk to someone before those feelings grow. If you are feeling lonely or depressed, first you need to recognize how you feel. Don’t try to ignore them and let them continue to build; break down complicated feelings and situations until you can start addressing them piece by piece. “It can be hard to push yourself out of your comfort zone, but you need to encourage yourself to do so,” Elizabeth says. “Nine times out of ten, you’re going to feel a lot better when you’re at some party or event and actually socializing. As humans, social connection is so important to our well-being.”
If you have a support system, consider reaching out to them first. A phone call to a friend or family member may not sound like much, but it can help tremendously when feeling lonely or depressed. They may even be able to help you find events or transportation to help you get out into your community. Depending on where you live, there may be a community center or senior center in your area that puts on events during the holiday season. Senior centers are especially helpful, as they may host a group holiday meal and offer transportation options to help you get to the center safely. No matter where you live, your county’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will likely have resources available to you as well. Consider reaching out to them and asking what’s available either in your community or virtually.
You may feel some anxiety when you’re looking to go to a party or other event after losing your vision. Elizabeth says these feelings are normal. Reach out to whomever is organizing the event and ask them about anything that is causing you anxiety and what you can expect when you arrive. When you do go, consider bringing a party partner who can help you navigate the party and who can help you work through any anxious feelings that may arise.
Support groups are a fantastic place to find community with people who may be going through the same struggles as you. There are a number of in-person low vision support groups across the state, and there are virtual groups available as well. Hadley can be a great online resource to help you find connections during the holidays, and they host a number of online low vision support groups. The Wisconsin chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is another great virtual resource for those struggling emotionally during the holiday season, including support groups and other virtual programming.
“So many of us have experienced feelings of depression and isolation,” Elizabeth says. “Just hearing that other people have felt these same feelings can be so unifying. As humans, it’s okay to just reach out and talk to someone when we’re struggling. You aren’t going to scare people away by talking about how you feel, because that’s a part of being human. Finding a basic human connection with someone is such a powerful thing.”