How to Manage Grief and Sad Memories Over the Holidays
The holidays are just around the corner. They’re meant to be a time of joy and celebration. Unfortunately, they can also be a very difficult time for some people, bringing up negative memories and stirring up sadness associated with grief and loss.
Maybe you lost someone you love this year. Maybe the holidays have been difficult for years because someone has been missing from your life.
While holding onto memories of those individuals can be a bright spot in the season, they are often bittersweet and can bring your grief back to the forefront.
You don’t have to put on a happy face and just grin and bear it through the season. Rather, focus on healthy, effective ways to manage grief and sad memories over the holidays. Let’s cover a few tips that can help.
Don’t Suppress Your Emotions
You might think you have to “fake it until you make it” throughout the holidays. That’s simply not true. Yes, it’s a time of celebration, and it’s understandable not to want your grief and sadness to dim anyone else’s light.
But suppressing your emotions is one of the worst things you can do. Instead, acknowledge them. Allow yourself to feel your feelings. Sometimes, you might have to deal with overwhelming sadness, so let the tears come. Other times, you might feel angry. Let it out by taking a walk or hitting a pillow.
Practice Self-Care
Self-care is already important around the holidays, but it’s especially necessary if you’re struggling with sadness and grief. Don’t let your obligations or the stress of the season keep you from prioritizing your well-being.
Get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and try things like journaling and meditation to combat negative feelings.
Honor Your Loved Ones
The holidays can be hard when you’re grieving because all you can think about are memories of the person/people you lost. Consider creating new traditions that honor those individuals. Doing so can help with the healing process, allowing you to feel as though they’re still there celebrating with the rest of you.
Try things like sharing stories about those people, making a donation in their name, or even cooking a special dish they loved. These small actions can go a long way in making the season a bit easier and more comforting. Sharing the experiences with other people who might also be dealing with the same loss can also help. You have a built-in support system to remind you that you don’t have to deal with this kind of grief alone.
Set Healthy Boundaries
If you’re not feeling up to a bunch of parties and gatherings this year, that’s okay. Set healthy boundaries for yourself, and realize that you don’t have to accept every invitation or feel obligated to participate in every event.
With that being said, don’t allow your grief to keep you from doing things you might enjoy. Isolation will undoubtedly make things worse and could contribute to anxiety and depression. Strike a healthy balance by listening to your mind and body and finding what works for you
Seek Professional Help
Having a support system of family and friends is important. But, sometimes, it’s not enough if you feel like you’re struggling to cope.
If you’re already dreading this holiday season because of the grief you’re experiencing, don’t carry that weight alone. Consider reaching out for help from a therapist. Therapy can help you process your grief in healthy ways while teaching you coping strategies to get through the holidays and beyond.
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