The cure for the ‘BAH HUMBUGS’...!
- Dr Dara Hume -
‘Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la, la la la la’... Or is it? There are so many pressures on everyone this time of year, some of them perceived and some of them actual - that all has to be done ‘for the Christmas’ - making sure work deadlines are met, jobs are completed, the house is ready, all presents are bought, that we’ve thought of everything, and remembered everyone... phew! It’s exhausting just thinking about it, isnt it?
And that’s in a typical year, not a second ‘Covid Christmas’!
How did we get here? And how are we going to get out of it? As as been the norm with Covid, that continues to remains unclear, but we shall trust our scientific experts to guide us through. The key, as always, is immunisation and following the public health guidelines as best we can. And, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, it’s never too late to get vaccinated!
In the meantime though, I think it’s worth acknowledging that everyone is kind of in bad form, with a dose of the ‘Bah Humbugs’, at least at some stage over the past 18 months. It’s been really tough on everyone, of every age. It’s been financially difficult on so many businesses, and other businesses are run off their feet. The frontline, Covid-facing workers (and by that I mean all healthcare workers, ambulance, gardaí, the retail sector, haulage, childcare workers, teachers, and countless other workers) have been dealing with potentially Covid positive patients/customers since March 2019.
Then of course all those who have worked from home, often socially isolated, working in their bedrooms, or at the kitchen table; those home schooling kids, often while trying to work themselves; those out of work and surviving on the PUP; older people cocooning, then generally self-protecting, unable to share in family events and celebrations; nursing home patients with limited visiting, which is so important to their well-being; adolescents and young adults so restricted socially and in their sporting and other activities; kids not understanding why they can’t have play dates and sleepovers. The list goes on. Everyone’s routine and normal daily activities have been curtailed.
I have spoken to and seen so many patients over this pandemic who use the words anxious and lonely, particularly anyone living on their own or with a un-supportive partner. Without having someone to share your worries, annoyances and concerns with, life is so much more difficult. Yet other phrases I regularly hear are ‘sure I don’t want to bother them’, or ‘they have enough of their own problems’, when I suggest reaching out to their family and friends.
So what are the solutions? I have two simple ones:
1) Reach out to others, so they won’t feel alone. And also just to let people know you’re thinking of them. A card or phone call, text, a visit to an elderly neighbour. And ensure that ideally no-one is on their own at Christmas.
2) Take time to yourself, and to appreciate the simple pleasures that life has to offer. A smile, a warm ‘Hello’, winter sun on your face, a memory that makes you smile, a hot cuppa after a brisk walk in the cold air, curled up in front of the fire with a good book (one of my personal favourites!), a snuggle from your pet, a good laugh, catching up with a friend, kicking crunchy leaves. None of these things cost money but can mean the world to you or someone else.
“And so I’m offering this simple phrase, to kids from one to ninety-two. Although it’s been said, many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you!” (feel free to sing along with Nat King Cole!).
And also, in the words of John Lennon: “A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Let’s hope it’s a good one, without any fear”.
Take care. Mind yourselves and each other, and let’s touch base again in the New Year.