Coping With the Holidays When You’re Living With Chronic Illness
The holidays are often portrayed as joyful and energetic, but living with chronic illness can make this season feel complicated. While the world speeds up, your body may be asking you to slow down. You might want to show up fully for the people you love, yet your symptoms don’t take a holiday break — and that tension can feel heavy.
If that’s where you find yourself, you’re not alone.
In this post, we’ll look at ways to move through the holidays with intention, gentleness, and support for your body, mind, and spirit.
1. Give Yourself Permission to Have a Different Holiday Season
You don’t have to match anyone else’s pace or expectations. Chronic illness may require you to:
Choose smaller gatherings
Stay for less time
Shift traditions to something more manageable
2. Modify Traditions Without Losing Their Meaning
Traditions don’t have to be physically demanding to be meaningful. You can:
Open gifts from the couch with a heating pad
Do holiday baking in short bursts and freeze dough ahead of time
Have a “cozy night in” instead of a big party
Look at lights from the car instead of walking
3. Notice the Grief That Might Show Up — and Let It Be Valid
Holidays highlight what has changed, what you miss, and what your body no longer allows easily.
You might grieve:
The version of you who could do more
The traditions you’ve had to let go
The energy you wish you had
The unpredictability of symptoms
This grief isn’t a failure of gratitude. It’s a normal part of living in a body that has limits. Allowing that grief to breathe often creates more room for genuine joy.
4. Communicate Your Needs Early (and Simply)
You don’t have to explain your entire medical history. A simple script works:
“My body doesn’t handle long days or overstimulation well. I may need to rest, leave early, or make a different plan — but I want to be included in the ways I can.”
Clear expectations help prevent resentment on both sides.
5. Let Yourself Redefine ‘Joy’ This Year
Joy doesn’t have to look like loud celebrations or endless socializing. It can be:
A soft blanket and a favorite show
A slow walk to look at lights
A meaningful conversation with one safe person
A small act of creativity
Joy can be quiet. Joy can be small. Joy can look different every year.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re heading into this season with a body that is weary, unpredictable, or hurting — I hope you know you’re doing the best you can. You are allowed to protect your health, honor your limits, and create a holiday that fits the life you’re living now.
Here at Atlanta Wellness Collective, we want to help. For support, contact us or schedule an appointment online.
This blog post was written by Valerie Johnson.
This blog is not intended to substitute professional therapeutic advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your health concerns and before starting or stopping therapies. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct professional advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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