Christmas is a time of the year when families, neighbours and friends engage in festive celebrations. It is characterized by gatherings, memory sharing and gift giving. Which is why it can be daunting to face Christmas after a loss, whether the death happened recently or many years ago. This article offers suggestions you can apply to ease your pain, discomfort, and stress.
Be Realistic in Your Expectations
Due to the absence of a deceased loved one, things may never feel the same again. As such, give yourself permission to do things differently this year. Don’t be afraid to change old family Christmas ones or create new ones. Finding new ways to remember the deceased person can help ease your family’s discomfort and everyone together.
Plan Ahead
Christmas can be challenging as it’s hard to avoid the festive atmosphere with holiday music in every store, cards arriving in the mail, and replays of classic shows on TV. Hence you may want to think about what your plans are for Christmas and who you’d like to spend time with.
Be Kind to Yourself
It’s not unusual to feel like you’re in a daze, as if your world has been turned upside down and everything is moving too fast. But be kind to yourself; eat healthy foods, exercise, get plenty of rest and sleep. Generally, during the holiday season most people become lax or totally neglect taking care of their bodies and minds. Give your heart time to heal by not stifling tears or any other emotion you may be feeling at this time. Get support by talking to trusted friends or family about your emotional needs. If you find yourself relying on alcohol or drugs to numb the pain, be mindful of this, and consider reaching out to a professional or someone who knows you well.
