Getting through the Holidays while grieving the loss of a loved one can be difficult. After the death of a loved one, people often dread the holidays due to so many reminders of the person that has passed away. Holidays can bring up so many feelings and triggers for those who are grieving. Let’s face it, grieving sucks, and it can be very draining. In this article, we explore what grief is and 10 tips on dealing with grief during the Holidays. 

10 tips on dealing with grief during the Holidays

1. Try to talk to someone.

Finding a safe space and place to get out all of your feelings can be difficult. For many people, this may be difficult if they do not already have a robust support system in place. Whether it be a friend, or a family member, talking to someone about what you are feeling can help ease the weight on your shoulders. You might find that the person you are talking to has experienced something similar and can help you through your grief. 

2. Know when it’s time to talk to a counselor.

Anyone who has undergone a loss can benefit from counseling. Of course, plenty of people grieve without attending counseling. Nevertheless, it’s hard to go through, and counseling can almost always help you through the struggle. There is no right or wrong time to get counseling for grief. 

Also, it’s essential to recognize that people go through many different types of loss. Your grief may not be because of a human’s death. People also seek counseling for grief associated with loss of a job, pet, home, business deal, divorce, loss of a body part, loss of movement (stuck in the house due to pandemic). 

3. Don’t skip the grieving process/let it happen.

Some people think that they are okay after losing a loved one and do not need to grieve the loss. This is one of the number one mistakes a person can make when grieving. 

If you’ve avoided processing your grief at all, then you’re asking for trouble down the line. If you quickly put the loss behind you without genuinely dealing with it, then the pain will resurface when you least expect it.

4. It’s okay to say the word “NO.

For those grieving, understand that people around you may start to invite you to family and friend outings, get-togethers, and, yes, those pesky Holiday dinners. Even though they do not mean any harm, it can still be a bit much for the griever. Here is a simple word of advice, it’s okay to say no if you genuinely do not want to go. It’s okay. 

Moving too quickly to please other people can add more stress and pressure on an individual, especially while going through the grieving process. Take your time and decide what is best for you and what you want to do during the Holidays. Remember, it’s not about others; it’s about you. It is your time to grieve. So take your time!

5. Try to stick to a regular sleeping pattern.

Falling asleep can be especially hard when grieving, but to help with the process, try to stick to a regular sleeping pattern. If you struggle to fall asleep, have a look at some tips on how to get to sleep.

6. Set small targets each day.

Don’t try to achieve everything at once when getting ready for the Holidays. Instead, set small tasks and targets for yourself that you can quickly achieve. This is very important, especially when you are preparing for the Holidays. 

If you have to shop for people and family during the holidays, try to make a list now to avoid doing this around the holiday week. This can cause extra stress and pressure. 

7. Try to avoid addictive substances and behavior.

Yes, during the Holidays, individuals are more tempted to drink their blues away than at any other time. Though it can be tempting to numb your feelings, try to avoid things like alcohol and drugs while grieving. They might numb your feelings for now, but those feelings are only suppressed, and alcohol/drugs can also contribute to poor mental and physical health. 

8. Boost your immune system.

Experiencing a loss can quickly drain your energy and emotional reserves. It is more important than ever to look after your physical and mental health while you are grieving: It might help to juice green leafy vegetables, celery stalks and find an excellent protein to add to your veggie juice. 

Take your vitamins and talk to your doctor to see if they recommend other supplements to help boost your immune system while you are going through the grieving process. 

9. Unplug from technology. 

Social media is a great way to connect with people you don’t see every day by keeping up with what they are doing. On days that can be lonely, this can be more painful than beneficial. To avoid FOMO, stay off your socials for the day and just focus on what you’re doing!

10. Journaling your feelings.

Some research suggests that disclosing deep emotions through writing can boost immune function and mood, and well-being. Conversely, the stress of holding in strong feelings can ratchet up blood pressure and heart rate and increase muscle tension. 

You might want to seek professional support to help you start to deal with your grief before trying journal writing. If you need help to create your journal today, need ideas on how to get started, or purchase your own downloadable journal, please visit our site today at Safe Harbor. 

Conclusion: 

In this article, we explored what grief is and 10 Tips on dealing with grief during the Holidays. Remember that you are not alone. It is easy to feel like you are entirely alone when you are grieving, especially during the Holidays. Remember that that is not the case. Most people feel similar to how you might be feeling after experiencing a loss. 

If you need to talk to someone, remember that there is support available. If you need to speak with someone today, please reach out to our counseling center to chat. We offer a safe, nonjudgmental space to help you heal. 

Written by Marquetta Smith, MSSW, ED, Christian Counselor at Safe Harbor International Ministries. For more articles please visit our blog page at https://safeharborim.com/articles/

Resources: 

Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

“No” Photo by SHVETS production from Pexels

“Juicing” Photo by Alexander Mils from Pexels

Good Therapy, May 20, 2018 : https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/when-loss-hurts-6-physical-effects-of-grief-0520187 

Well Clinic, July 31, 2019: https://www.wellsanfrancisco.com/5-signs-that-you-might-need-grief-counseling/ 

https://whatsyourgrief.com/5-benefits-of-grief-journaling/

Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/complicated-grief/symptoms-causes/syc-20360374 

Harvard Health: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/writing-to-ease-grief