Coping with Grief and the Holidays
When you’ve suffered a major loss, the joyful holiday season with its focus on family traditions can be a stark reminder of the person you have lost. It is important to let go of the idea of perfectionism and be kind to yourself and others who may be coping with grief and the holidays. Honor your feelings and find new ways to include the person you have lost in your celebrations.
It’s okay to be sad.
If a holiday had particular meaning for you and your loved one, it can be very difficult to go through that day without them. Acknowledge your feelings and don’t take on more than you can handle. Make a plan for how you are going to get through the day. If you need to stay home, stay home. If being around family will help, make it a point to gather together. Be honest with yourself and what you need to cope with grief during the holiday season.
Make new traditions.
One way to cope with your grief in the holidays is to find a way to honor your loved one with a new tradition. Some families bring flowers to the cemetery to acknowledge their loved one. Others light a special candle in their memory. When you lose someone important, it can be helpful to focus on the happy memories you’ve shared together by sharing stories or looking at photo albums.
5 Ways to Honor Your Loved One’s Memory
Ask for help.
You don’t have to go through this time alone. If you are struggling with grief this holiday season, please call 888-564-3405 and speak to one of our bereavement coordinators. We also offer complimentary grief recovery groups throughout the year in all the communities we serve.
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