The following article was written by Dr. Lise Deguire. She is a clinical psychologist in private practice, and author of Flashback Girl: Lessons on Resilience From a Burn Survivor.

 Permission to publish the article has been granted.

As we officially enter into the holiday season, anxiety hangs in the air, with so many worries. There is the obvious anxiety about our health and the health of our loved ones. Can we drive to see our aging parents? Can our adult children fly home for Christmas? Then there is the economic news so many families struggling. How many presents can we afford under that tree this year? Can we even afford the tree?

I feel the same crushing pressures as everyone. For over 35 years, I have spent New Year’s with three best friends, which expanded to our partners and our children over time. For decades, our merry band of twelve have rung in the New Years together. But not this year. I cannot tell you how sad this makes me.

However, 2020 is what it is, and I am trying to make the best of it. For this holiday season, I have created a new home base for myself, with new daily rules. Every day, I try to do the same five things. Each of these activities makes me calmer, happier, and/or more at peace. For ease of remembering, think of the mnemonic M.E.C.C.A. (Mecca being both a holy city, and a word that means “center”).

What is M.E.C.C.A.?

1) Meditate: Start your day with a brief meditation. I listen to “Headspace,” which offers a ten minute daily guided meditation (learn more about it here: https://www.headspace.com/). To be clear, every morning I wake up and think, “Oh let’s just skip meditating.” I really never want to. But, when I engage in meditation, I feel better: clear headed, relaxed and refreshed. It is the best way to start the morning.

2) Exercise: Every day, I exercise. Given COVID, I stay away from the gym, but I can still walk the dog, or hop on our elliptical trainer, or lift hand weights. And as with meditation, every time after I exercise, I think “Oh I feel so much better.” Remember too that with the holidays usually comes extra eating and drinking. Exercise helps combat that holiday five.

3) Create: Do you write? Paint? Quilt? Perhaps you used to practice a creative art, years ago, when you were in school. Creativity is one of the best coping tools we have. By creating, we can take our feelings and transform them into something else: something beautiful or moving or cathartic. And bonus, use your creativity skills to make presents this holiday. I have a cousin who sends exquisite handmade cards every year at Christmas. Her skill is beyond me, but I always look forward to seeing her creations.

4) Connect: During the holiday time, many people feel lonely. Many of us have lost someone, and we miss them particularly around this sentimental season. This year, there will be even more people missing their loved ones, because most of us will need to stay in our own homes. Reach out to your loved ones. Don’t just text, pick up the phone and talk. I grant you, the conversation won’t be riveting. No one is doing anything, so there isn’t much to talk about other than COVID 19. Just the same, call your friends. Call your aunt. Call your grandparents.

5) Accomplish: Every day, do something you have put off doing. You know those projects that you never have time for? My house was filled with those, but not anymore! And goodness knows, around the holidays there is plenty to be done. Perhaps this will be the year that I finally organize the Christmas paper bin. It is full of scraps of wrapping paper, dusty ribbons and cardboard boxes of dubious utility. Every year I tell myself I will clean it out and organize it. Something tells me that this will finally be the year.

Where Do We Go From Here?

No one knows how long we will drift in this odd COVID limbo, but I hope you can make the best of this strange holiday season, caring for yourself and keeping a healthy grounding routine. You will find me meditating and exercising (reluctantly), creating my blogs, and calling my friends on New Years. You will also find me in the back of my garage, throwing out dusty wrapping paper.

We will find our way back to normal, at some point. For now, enjoy the twinkle lights adorning your neighbor’s houses. Take care and chin up. Humanity has gotten through many difficult times, and we will get through this too. Happy Holidays!