5 Ways to Stay Safe from Omicron While Enjoying Your Holidays
By Rachel Parodneck LCSW
Omicron—sounds like a Transformers name. Although this new strain of COVID may be milder than previous strains, it’s spreading like wildfire. This is leading to a huge spike in COVID cases right in time for the holidays.
You may have long awaited plans—to see family or friends you’ve been missing or to ring in 2022 with a New Years Eve party—and they may end up being canceled. Disappointing as this may be, there are still many things to celebrate.
We have a vaccine now! If you’re vaxxed and boosted, you are likely not going to wind up in the hospital. Breakthrough cases are reportedly milder, more similar to a cold than the original COVID if you are vaccinated and boosted.
Many workplaces are reinstating working remotely as an indefinite part of the job. This means if you’re lucky enough to be able to work from home, you may not have to go back to the office for a good long while.
So what is one to do if you’re relatively isolated for the holidays?
1) Throwback to the beginning of COVID and have Netflix watch parties with friends and family. Netflix Watch Party enables you to stream TV and movies in perfect sync with your friends and family.
2) FaceTime your party people while cooking or baking your traditional holiday foods simultaneously in your respective homes.
3) Have an at home spa day: get those face masks, the leave in conditioners, nail polish, the bath bombs, and anything else that will make you feel ultra pampered.
4) Bundle up and get some fresh winter air! Go on a solo walk in a park—if you’re lucky you might even get to witness a few snowflakes.
5) Give back! Whether that looks like donating money to worthy causes, coaching or mentoring youth, or something else, spend a little time doing research on causes that are close to your heart. If you need a little inspiration for where to donate funds, https://www.charitynavigator.org is a great site that will help you find organizations that will make the most of your donation. If you’re looking for service-based volunteer opportunities, check out https://www.volunteermatch.org/ will connect you to nonprofits looking for volunteers.
These are just a few ways to break up the monotony of another holiday season in potential lockdown. Continue to mask up, get tested if you’ve been exposed to COVID and get your booster shot if you haven’t done so yet!
I hope these help. Have a very happy holiday! If you’re struggling and need support, fill out the contact form on my website and let’s talk!
*This is not meant to constitute medical advice. If you are in a medical emergency dial 911 or head to your nearest emergency room.
