Managing Your Grief During the Holidays

Posted on December 19, 2022 by McVeigh Funeral Home, Inc. under funeral home
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funeral homes in Colonie, NY

According to funeral homes in Colonie, NY, there are few times of the year when grief can feel more suffocating than during the holiday season. Whether you’re struggling with a recent loss or simply feeling disconnected from friends and family, the winter blues can leave you feeling isolated and alone.

This is doubly true if you’ve recently experienced the death of someone you cared about — perhaps even a parent or partner.

The pain of losing someone so close to us cuts deep, especially during an already stressful time of year. But like any other challenge in life, there are ways to ease your grief and survive the holidays, perhaps even find some joy in it.

We all need to take care of ourselves in times of grief, but it can be difficult to remember that during the holidays. There’s so much pressure to spend time with and for other people. But if you’re struggling with grief this time of year, it’s important to make sure that you’re also taking care of yourself.

How do we do this? Here are some suggestions:

Give yourself permission to take a break from holiday activities.

This doesn’t mean you should isolate yourself or not participate in the season at all. It just means that if you’re overwhelmed by the season and need a break from it, you’re allowed to take one. You don’t have to feel guilty about it or try to push through your feelings. Acknowledge that you’re struggling and permit yourself to step away when necessary.

Take care of your physical and mental health.

This is particularly important if you’re grieving the loss of a loved one. It’s easy to let your grief get in the way of taking care of yourself, but that can worsen matters. Make sure you’re eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep.

This also applies if you’re struggling with depression or anxiety. Get the support you need from others through friends and family or professional help.

Take care of your spiritual health.

It’s not just about going to church; it’s about being connected to something bigger than yourself in whatever way makes sense for you. If religion isn’t your thing, that’s fine; there are many other ways to feel connected to something bigger than yourself.

Charity is a popular option at this time of year. You can donate or volunteer to help make the holidays more bearable for others.

Find joy.

funeral homes in Colonie, NYEven if it feels difficult, try to find some joy in the holidays. Remember all the good things about the person who died rather than focusing on the loss. If it helps, you can keep a fond tradition you shared with the deceased going or incorporate elements of it in your new one.

Keep your expectations realistic.

The holidays are supposed to be about love and family, but that doesn’t mean they’re always perfect. Sometimes things go wrong, people don’t get along, or it just doesn’t feel like Christmas anymore.

It may turn out that you are not as ready to return to your norm as you thought, and that’s okay. There is no universal timeline for healing after losing someone close. Everyone moves at their own pace.

Make it fun for the kids.

If you have children, it will be hard for them to understand why their loved one isn’t around this year. Make sure they know that it’s not their fault, and try to make this holiday as positive and fun for them as the situation allows. In their joy, you are more likely to find your own.

Not even the professionals at Colonie, NY, funeral homes have a complete grasp on grief. But leaning on people with experience and training can provide needed support on the darkest days. Call us today.