How to Cope With Grief during the Holidays

Losing a loved one is never easy. The holidays can be a difficult time for families that have recently lost a loved one or are dealing with terminal illness. Coping with grief or depression can be especially hard when other people around you seem so happy. For many families the holidays highlight the absence of the person they have lost, or someone who will not be with them next year. Having a coping strategy before the holiday season can help.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Talk with your family and friends. If you will be celebrating with other people ask them to help you decide how to spend the holiday season. Suffering alone will only make things worse, and this is an excellent time to remember the person you have lost with loved ones.

2. Continue to eat healthy and get plenty of rest. The holiday season is stressful enough and the stress of grief makes things worse. Experts recommend that keeping your body healthy can lower stress and help you feel stronger.

3. Celebrate old traditions or start new ones. Old traditions may be too painful to continue, but traditions are important aspects of family life. Some families choose to focus their celebrations on the season (e.g., winter) rather than a particular day to make it easier to feel joy. Other families find it is important to continue traditions. Young children especially are comforted by traditions. You may choose to incorporate your lost loved one in your traditions, such as leaving a stocking hung for that person.

4. Donate a gift or money in honor of your loved one. This is a wonderful way of remembering your loved one and providing for a need at the same time. You can encourage friends and family to donate to the same charity.

5. Do something for other people. Volunteers are always needed in hospitals, soup kitchens or nursing homes. Being active will keep your mind busy while bringing joy to others.

6. Don't feel guilty if you feel happy. It is possible to feel happy and sad at the same time. If you find joy in the holidays it does not take away from the memory of your loved one.

Tips & Warnings

• Grief is normal and shouldn't be avoided, but don't let it consume your life.

Resources

• Tips for Coping with Grief
• Expert Tips for Holiday Grief