5 Tips for Navigating Grief During the Holiday Season
November 10, 2022
Categories: Healthy Living, Mental Health
The merriment that surrounds the holiday season is visible in the faces of every wide-eyed child as they await a meeting with Santa. While the holiday season can manifest feelings of warmth, love, comfort and new beginnings it can also be a time of reflection, especially for someone experiencing grief.
Whether it is the loss of a loved one or beloved pet, or the sorrow felt by distant relationships, the holiday season can surface and intensify feelings of sadness. Many perceive grief as something that must be hidden away or kept secret, which only creates more intense feelings of detachment from present-day living. In fact, present-day living is the only space where we can share our feelings of mourning while also celebrating the lives we have lost.
It is important to remember that grief has no time limit, nor does it impact everyone the same way, so it’s essential to recognize your path is unique. While grief has no determined ending, the way we experience it changes with each new day. It can become less painful when we learn how to care for ourselves during vulnerable times.
As a licensed clinical social worker at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare’s (TMH) Behavioral Health Center, I’ve supported many patients as they’ve coped with grief. While everyone’s journey is unique, there are some key self-care practices that can make navigating your personal grief easier, especially during the holiday season. Here are my top five tips:
1. Be Kind to Yourself
It is important to allow yourself to experience different emotions without judgment. Remind yourself that there is no right or wrong way to grieve. It is okay to take time alone to process or connect with family and friends once you feel ready.
2. Take Care of Yourself
Grief can easily interfere with your daily activities. Make sure you are taking time to eat and get much-needed rest. Don’t feel forced to participate in the stress associated with shopping and the holiday crowds if you don’t feel like you are able. You don’t have to attend all the holiday parties or even put up decorations if you don’t feel ready to. Let your support system know how you are feeling so they don’t pressure you to participate.
3. Get Involved
Connect with groups of people who are also experiencing grief and loss or contribute to an organization that helps others. Helping others can be a way to stay connected while also bringing new meaning to the holiday season. Don’t feel guilty for spending time away from your feelings of grief, as it is normal to experience highs and lows.
4. Make The Holidays Your Own
It is OK to experience the holiday in whatever manner you feel best. You might celebrate with traditions, not celebrate at all or create new traditions and memories. Remember, while holiday movies and greeting cards render images of blissfulness, the reality is that the holidays are difficult for many. You are not alone, and you can create your own holiday experience.
5. Seek Help
It is important to be tuned into your feelings so that you can provide positive self-care. If you start experiencing depression, hopelessness or suicidal thoughts, it is essential that you seek professional help. Establish a safety plan, which includes alerting a family member or friend when you don’t feel safe. Grief is an understandably painful experience, but you don’t have to go through it alone and there is support to help manage it.
Anyone seeking professional mental health help for themselves or a loved one can contact:
- Tallahassee Memorial Behavioral Health Center: 850-431-5105
- Apalachee Center: 850-523-3333
- 2-1-1 Big Bend: dial 2-1-1
Feeling grief at the holidays is an experience with which so many people in our community and across the country can relate. While everyone feels grief differently and to varying degrees, know that you’re not alone. This holiday season may look different from years past and that’s OK. Honor yourself by paying attention to your emotions, giving yourself space to grieve and communicating your needs with your support system.
To learn more about mental health care available at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, explore our Behavioral Health Center services.
