Coping With Grief During the Holidays

Coping with Grief During the Holidays

People experience grief in different ways and heal at their own pace. There’s no set pattern or timeline when it comes to recovering from grief and sometimes it can resurface even years after a loved one’s demise. Small memories and traditions can renew the pain and delay the healing process. Holidays can be especially painful and difficult for a grieving person. Here are some tips to help you through this time:

1. Give yourself permission to say no

Holiday parties and gatherings can be painful and trigger a fresh wave of grief. Many people hesitate to deny such invitations and are often coerced into attending by well-meaning friends and relatives. This can cause you additional strain during the grieving process, which is why it’s important to say no. If you’re too overwhelmed by the thought of holiday gatherings or just don’t want to be in someone else’s company, say no and don’t feel guilty about it.

2. Ask for help

There’s no shame in asking for help if you’re unable to manage grief on your own. You can ask a friend to accompany you on a trip away from the holiday cheer, book an appointment with a psychologist to work on your grief, and get help. This will make the holiday season more tolerable and take you further in your grieving process.

3. Don’t disconnect with the family entirely

Spending some time with people who share your grief can also be healing. If you’re in a relatively positive mindset and believe that you can bear holiday cheer for some time, attend one or two gatherings just to connect with the rest of your loved ones and cherish them.

During this holiday season, if you feel that you need further help, please check out our Grief Resources library. Please do not hesitate to contact us at The Jerry Spears Company. Our team will be happy to help.