The holidays can be a joyous and relaxing time of year, bringing vacation days and time with family and friends. But for some veterans, military service members, and their families, December celebrations can result in strain and depression, particularly as COVID-19 continues to complicate the usual holiday hustle.
Anneke Vandenbroek, Ph.D., ABPP, director of the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals, acknowledged the different reactions that people can have to this time of year. “For some people, the holidays reduce stress – they have days off work, time with their kids, visits with family. For a lot of other people, there is increased stress, anxiety, and depression. There are a lot of expectations around the holidays, and that can increase stress,” she said, citing obligations related to gift giving, family encounters, and demands on personal time.
An article in U.S. Veterans Magazine also noted the strain brought about by recalling fallen comrades: “Veterans and military families, in particular, tend to remember at the holidays those who did not make it home from war. They may not know how to celebrate the holidays knowing those fallen heroes are no longer present.”
The distance imposed by military service or relocation can also add to an individual’s sense of isolation, given that military families often live far from their hometowns. The pandemic continues to make travel challenging, and that separation from loved ones can feel even more acute during the holidays.
Families who are able to reunite during 2021 may find themselves trying to compensate for previous holidays. “Military families may feel pressure to make up for lost time from past holidays when a service member was away on deployment,” Vandenbroek added, “or financial strain from trying to purchase expensive gifts to make up for past absences.”
Although the sources of anxiety and isolation may be complex, there are some simple ways to navigate the season’s stressors. “Make sure to plan some down time to recharge around all the holiday events,” Vandenbroek advised. “It’s OK to sit something out, as long you are finding time to connect at other times.” She also recommended low-key activities that can help a person recharge while making happy memories. “A walk to see neighborhood holiday lights can be just as meaningful and significant to children as opening a big gift,” Vandenbroek added.
In addition, veterans and service members may want to check out the virtual opportunities offered by the Cohen Clinic and Cohen Veterans Network later this month, including a Facebook Live session focused on holiday wellness (see below). In-person and telehealth counseling are also available.
