Managing Your Grief This Holiday Season

According to our favorite holiday movies and books we should be serene, happy and peaceful throughout the holidays. This is rarely the case, however, for those who may be grieving the loss of a loved one. Holidays are hard when you are consumed with grief, no matter how long ago you experienced your loss.
We all experience grief differently and there is no right way to do it. The same is true for coping with a loss. How one person manages may not be the same as the next.
The key to grief is patience and compassion. Grief can make often make us feel lost and confused. Here are some suggestions on how to manage your grief so that you can acknowledge what you are feeling, but also make sure that you enjoy the holidays to the fullest.

Set limits for yourself: Grieving requires energy so slow down and take the opportunity to rest and recover a bit more often than usual. Don’t be afraid to say “no” and to prioritize your mental and emotional health as much as possible. Do only those things that mean the most to you and conserve your energy.
Plan your schedule ahead of time: When it comes to putting everything together for the holidays, you will want to have a plan. A plan for gift giving, holiday events, food preparation, work responsibilities and self care will keep you calm and give you a better sense of control. When you have intense or difficult emotions, you will be able to rely on the schedule to keep things on track without feeling overwhelmed.
Honor your loved one:...

Source: World of Psychology - December 4, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Julie K. Jones, Ph.D., LPC Tags: Grief and Loss Holiday Coping Inspiration & Hope Mindfulness Motivation and Inspiration Self-Help Bereavement grieving Holiday Season Holiday Traditions Holidays Source Type: blogs