Now we will deal with handling grief during the holidays. I touched on this briefly in Part 1. The following tips were found at the website http://www.griefnet.org/. I suggest you visit the site as it elaborates more on the following points:
- Decide what you can handle comfortably and let family and friends know.
- Make some changes if they feel comfortable for you.
- Re-examine your priorities: greeting cards, holiday baking, decorating, putting up a tree, family dinner, etc.
- Consider doing something special for someone else.
- Recognize your loved one's presence in the family.
- If you decide to do holiday shopping, make a list ahead of time and keep it handy for a good day, or shop through a catalogue or on-line.
- Observe the holidays in ways which are comfortable for you.
- Try to get enough rest, holidays can be emotionally and physically draining.
- Allow yourself to express your feelings.
- Keep in mind that the experience of many bereaved persons is that they do come to enjoy the holidays again. There will be other holiday seasons to celebrate.
- Don't be afraid to have fun.
- Find a support group where you live.
Please visit the above mentioned website for more details on those tips. Just also remember that everyone handles grief differently. One person may not show any outward sign, and it doesn't diminish their internal pain. Someone else might be more emotional. Another person might choose to be alone (if that is the case I suggest you check on the person from time to time).
So far our discussion has been directed to the individuals grieving. Tomorrow we will wrap with a short review and discuss how you who are not grieving can be supportive of those who are.
J
