Holidays are a time for joy and celebration, a time to get together with family and friends. It’s also a time to be reflective about the past year and look forward to the new year ahead. For anyone who’s experienced the loss of a loved one during the holidays, however, this can be an incredibly difficult time. Here are some ways to recover from Christmas grief:
Create New Traditions
After a loved one dies, you may struggle to imagine celebrating Christmas. However, if you have been looking forward to this time every year and want to find ways of keeping the spirit of Christmas alive for your family, here are some suggestions for creating new traditions that don’t feel like obligations and keeping them meaningful.
- Don’t feel obligated to follow old traditions or do things just because other people do them on the same day. It’s okay if December 25th doesn’t work for you this year!
- Try coming up with something new that is meaningful to all involved. Don’t rely on staid traditions that could bring painful memories.
- Try finding a similar activity on another day during Advent or Christmas season. For example, if you loved giving out presents, consider baking cookies as an appropriate substitute!
Talk About your Loved One to Survive Christmas Grief
Talking about the loved one can bring comfort. Talking with family members and friends will help you remember their good qualities and bring comfort in remembering them. You may also find comfort in talking about your loved one with other people who have lost loved ones, such as members of your church congregation or support group for people coping with grief.
Christmas Grief: Plan “Me Time”
If you don’t feel like celebrating and spending time with others during the holidays, remove yourself from the day-to-day activities. You don’t owe anyone an explanation about what happened or how it affected your life. This includes friends, family members, coworkers or even strangers who ask about what happened or why you aren’t celebrating Christmas (or any other holiday).
Treat Yourself
An unexpected gift may give you pause. It’s so nice when others surprise us with gifts that we didn’t know we needed. So, why not consider giving something to yourself?
Self-Care to Stave off Christmas Grief
Take care of yourself first. It’s okay to say no when someone invites you over for Christmas dinner or lunch. However, don’t isolate yourself from friends and family members. Take time for yourself during the holidays, even if it is just an hour at the gym or a walk around the block.
If you’re in the thick of grief, it can be hard to remember that you need to take care of yourself. But if you don’t keep up your normal self-care routines, like going out with friends and eating well, you’ll be more prone to depression and anxiety. And if those symptoms get worse and linger for too long (a sign is when they interfere with your ability to function), then it’s time to seek professional help.
We hope these tips help you to enjoy your holiday season, even after the death of a loved one. It’s normal to feel sad, but don’t let that stop you from moving forward with life. Give yourself permission today—and every day—to mourn and heal and remember that there is no timeline for grief.
About Foothill Funeral & Cremation Services
Funeral directing is a unique job. The reason we enjoy it is because we love helping families during their time of need. Drop by our Glendora showroom any time. In Covina, our relationship with Sacred Heart Chapel is the perfect place for mourners to host funerals and memorial services in a grandiose yet intimate setting. We proudly serve the San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles Basin, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. Working in the mortuary industry since 1996, we have worked hard to build a reputation of quality, sincerity and trust. Please allow us to help you at your time of need or in the future. Call today (626) 335-0615 or drop by our showroom.