Surviving grief at Christmas
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With the cold setting in and the end of the year fast approaching, Christmas is meant to be a time of cheer, festivities, and warmth. But for some people, it’s a particularly hard time. As families gather to spend much-needed time together, it’s often a moment for people to remember who they’ve lost, especially if it has been recent. It might be the first Christmas without that special person or be a remembrance that they’re gone.
When grieving, the idea of Christmas might be scary. Whether it’s the pressure of feeling like you need to be cheerful or the stress of seeing family, it’s important to know that you’re not alone.
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One important way to look after yourself is to try and maintain a routine. Something as simple as this can be a lifeline during a hard time. Adhering to a regular regime of eating and sleeping can make a huge difference in your mood and how you feel that you’re coping.
Seeing families celebrating and the constant happy adverts on TV can make it extra hard to be going through a hard time. It’s important to know that if it does become too much, you can take a break. This can be removing yourself from situations or simply turning off your TV so that you can focus on yourself. Don’t feel guilty about not doing the things that you think you should be doing because it’s the Christmas season.
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Finding a way to remember your lost one can become a new tradition and a way to make this season easier on you. This can be as easy as simply speaking out loud to that person to continue celebrating with them and keep them in your memory. Visiting their grave might be a daunting prospect but doing so means that you could spend a moment with them during this special time. Looking at photos can also help as it can allow you to remember the good times and the Christmases that you’ve shared and to acknowledge that they’re gone but they will never be forgotten.
And most importantly, if you feel like you are struggling, speak to someone.
It’s okay to not be okay.