The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) has compiled important information on how to support your loved ones if they are struggling during this Holiday season. A brief summary is shared below, but for full details please click HERE.

Signs that someone might be struggling:

• Feeling sad, empty, hopeless or worthless
• Loss of interest or withdrawal from others
• Changes in sleep patterns or energy levels
• Feeling moody or anxious

Ways to Help:

• Remain present for them
• Acknowledge emotions without judgment, minimizing feelings or trying to put a positive spin on them
• Remind them it is OK to feel sad or show grief
• Encourage them to take care of their needs
• Check in regularly over time
• Model and encourage healthy routines and creative outlets

10 Tips to Ease Holiday Stress for Adults (click HERE for full infographic)

• Talk in advance to set expectations around gift-giving
• Be selective with activities and protect your time to do what matters to you
• Create a game plan for stressful moments and how you will respond
• Be aware of the tendency to revert to old patterns of behavior
• Set and enforce boundaries with family members who display toxic behaviors
• Give yourself time to remember and grieve departed loved ones
• Practice gratitude for the people in your life and all you have
• Prioritize sleep, hydration, and outdoor time to replenish your body
• Disconnect from screens and reconnect with the people in front of you
• Identify a "lifeline" to call or talk with when you start to feel stress (options below)

Familiar activities can provide comfort for both adults and children during challenging and uncertain times. Just like adults, children feel more confident and secure when their daily activities are predictable and familiar. A consistent daily schedule and step-by-step routines give children a predictable day. Schedules and routines in the group care setting and at home help children:

• Feel in control of their environment
• Feel safe, secure, and comfortable
• Know what is happening now and what comes next
• Know how to do an activity or task
• Engage in learning

During the Holiday season or any school break, children routines are often dysregulated. This can make the return to school very difficult for some children and families. It is important to try to stick to a similar routine at home even during school breaks. Your School Counseling Team can help you create routines at home to help your child. We have materials to create visual (night and morning) schedules ready to go for families that request them. If you are interested, please contact your child's school counselor.

Please click on the following links for a comprehensive list of resources:

• Student Wellness
• Mental Health and Counseling Resources
• Emergency Psych Evaluation Centers
• Community Resources (Housing, Food, Etc.)
• Technology Resources and Support
• North San Diego County Food Resources