Finding joy this holiday season: Highlighting the different ways Veterans and Families can experience the season

During the holiday season, we often hear about “joy” and the pursuit of happiness amid the festivities as they offer a time to cherish togetherness, reflect on shared memories and find comfort in the love and support of community.

However, we also know the reality is that this time of year isn’t always joyful for everyone, including Veterans and their Families. By fostering connections with loved ones and engaging in supportive community activities, it is possible to find a sense of calm and peace amidst these challenging feelings.

Exploring what joy means

Try asking yourself these questions:

• What does joy mean to you? What does it feel like for you?
• What is one simple way you can find a piece of joy this holiday season?
• How can a small act of kindness create ripples of joy for those who have served?
• How can you balance feelings of joy and anxiety?

We asked our Cadre members to share how they find joy throughout the holidays — here is what they told us:

Thank you to our Cadre members for contributing their thoughts!

Strategies to manage challenging feelings

We acknowledge that there are many reasons the holidays may be difficult for the Veteran and Family community, including separation from their loved ones, the close proximity to Remembrance Day and anniversaries of painful memories. For some, the sensation of joy may overlap with feelings of anxiety or irritability, leading to physical responses like increased heart rate and rapid breathing. While it can be tough to manage these conflicting emotions, there are strategies to help ease the pain.

While we often talk about our triggers and their impact on our mood, this holiday season we encourage you to learn about the opposite concept of “glimmer moments.” These are joyous memories or cues that help to calm and regulate our nervous system, bringing a sense of peace and happiness throughout the season.

We recognize that it can be challenging to find these glimmer moments¹ then difficult memories heighten your anxiety. Remember that it is important to prioritize your own well-being. This might mean creating some space so you can take a deep breath to help you search for your own glimmer moment — some examples might be:

• The sound of a child laughing
• The smell of your favourite food
• The feeling of quiet you have allowed yourself by stepping away from the busyness of the season

Lean into these moments and honour that glimmer of joy.

It’s important to remember that it’s okay not to feel okay. If you need support during the holiday season, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Family and friends, or explore various peer support options. You are not alone — there is a community that stands with you.

Over the next few weeks, follow us on our social media platforms for additional ideas on how to find joy this holiday season. You can also learn more by browsing the following resources.

Holiday resources for Veterans and Families

• Glimmers for mental health: Learn more about glimmers and how they differ from triggers by encouraging you to find moments of joy in your life.
• Peer support program directory: Access this online directory of peer support programs that are available to Veterans and their Families, searchable by location.
• Managing holiday stress: Ideas for making the holiday season a little happier and less stressful.
• Tips and strategies for supporting our kids during the holidays: Tips and strategies to help you help children affected by posttraumatic stress injury get the most out of the season.
• MyGrief.ca: Grief doesn’t stop for the holiday season. MyGrief.ca is a free e-learning resource to help people better understand and move through grief in different situations, including grief after trauma.

As we approach the holiday season, we want to express our gratitude to members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police who are separated from their Families due to the demands of service. We sincerely appreciate the sacrifices you continue to make.