With coronavirus cases increasing at an alarming rate across the U.S., this year.
But what do you do when your family is not on the same page?
鈥淎s we鈥檝e seen, there are two approaches to how to handle the pandemic,鈥� clinical psychologist Marva Robinson said Wednesday on St. Louis on the Air. 鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of difficult to compromise on something like this, so it definitely does add a new level of stress to the holidays and determining what your alternative plans will be.鈥�
Whether you are planning to gather in person or not, Robinson suggested not trying to force the same holiday traditions. Instead, the adjunct faculty member at Webster University and member of the Association of Black Psychologists urged listeners to find new ways to celebrate and connect with family and friends.
鈥淭urn it into the holiday that you would want it to be,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f Thanksgiving is about being thankful and having a great experience, then what does that look like for you? And for some, it doesn鈥檛 include doing dishes or cooking. It looks like maybe catching a movie, or renting something, or painting.鈥�
She added, 鈥淏eing creative this year is definitely the goal... so you can still enjoy the time and not so much focus on what you鈥檙e missing, but keeping the focus on what you do have and what you鈥檙e thankful for.鈥�
And if social distancing means you鈥檙e by yourself this Thanksgiving, Robinson said to 鈥渟hift the focus.鈥�
鈥淵ou may be alone physically, but you don鈥檛 have to be in spirit, right? So [try] making a list of your favorite things and engaging in those,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his will really be a staycation where you can surround yourself with some of your favorite things 鈥� things you have not had time for, and just really take the time out for yourself.鈥�
Robinson added that giving back to your community is a great way to celebrate the holidays as well.
鈥淲hat you would have normally cooked as a huge dinner, you may be able to drop off and give to someone else,鈥� she said.
鈥�鈥� brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. The show is hosted by and produced by , , and . The audio engineer is .
