Do’s And Don’ts For Coping With Holiday Grief

The Holidays can be a rough season for individuals who have lost someone close to their heart. What for many is a time of celebration and rejoicing can be a minefield of memories about the person they loved and have lost. The Holidays for these people tend to be extremely exhausting, as it takes just about all the strength they have to get through this time of the year. Some people experiencing grief this time of year tend to dread certain holiday traditions, as these may have a strong association of their lost loved one. Others enjoy getting lost in the festivities as it helps them to keep busy and not think about the pain they are experiencing.

Chances are fairly high that you know someone who is dealing with grief during the Holidays. This type of grief is not only difficult for the individual who is suffering, but for family and friends as well. It is extremely hard to see someone in pain and not know how to comfort them and to cheer them up. There are a few things you should know to do and a few things you should know not to do in order to help your loved one cope with this type of grief.

Make sure you are extra tender with this individual and make yourself available to listen when they need to talk or spend time with someone. Let them share their fond memories of their lost loved one with you and listen contently and truly be interested in being there for them. It can be difficult to discuss all of the different emotions a person goes through when dealing with grief, so be sure that you are open to allowing the person to truly share themselves with you. Be patient with them and make sure that you check in with them often or offer to help with things around the house.

One of the worst things you can do for someone who is grieving is to try and force them to participate in holiday traditions that remind them of the person they lost. Do not attempt to pressure the person into replacing that tradition with a new one if they are not ready to do so. You do not want to waste time waiting for that person to come to you for help, because chances are they will not. Do not try and avoid talking about the person who has passed away, instead mention a few of your favorite memories of that person.

By: Renee Wood, MSW

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Renee Wood founded The Comfort Company in 2000. She is a social worker that has helped families deal with the loss or pending loss of a child, as well as aiding patients in the end-stage of renal failure. The gifts provided by The Comfort Company offer memorial ideas as well as hope for healing hearts.