The Christmas season can be a difficult time of year if you’ve lost someone you care about or know someone who has. As people get together with family and friends, if you’ve lost someone you love, this time can be a reminder of that loss. While everyone reacts differently to grief and loss, know that you’re not alone if you’re feeling grief this holiday season.
It can be difficult to celebrate when you’re missing someone you love, and you may experience a mixed bag of emotions, including sadness, guilt, or even excitement. Getting together with others may be a chance to remember the good times. Acknowledging that having fun isn’t a sign that you don’t miss the person you’ve lost or you have forgotten about them.
There are a few ways to cope with grief in order to feel more supported through the season. Let us take a look at some tips on how to cope with loss during this time of year:
- Give yourself some time out to feel sad and think about the person you love and miss
- Do something that you used to do together and continue special traditions
- Think about everything you liked about the person and what they had brought to your life
- Write a letter to the person
- Share some of your favourite memories of them with others
Acknowledging that this could be a tough time for you and that you might need to treat yourself with a bit of extra care is a place to start. If possible, make time each day to treat yourself to something you enjoy, and that brings you a sense of comfort.
You might also find it helpful to talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling. This could be a family member, friend or professional.
Recommended Resource: Podcast Episode – How to Self-Care at Christmas
Sources
https://www.verywellmind.com/holiday-grief-how-to-cope-with-loss-during-a-joyous-time-6503042
https://au.reachout.com/articles/managing-grief-during-the-festive-season
