The holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy, but for those who are grieving, it can be a difficult time, particularly for those spending their first Christmas alone. The holidays can be a reminder of what has been lost, and can bring up intense emotions. It is important to allow yourself to grieve during this time, and to find ways to cope with that work for you.

While there is no easy way to deal with your grief, you can work through it, bit by bit. Here are some ideas for coping with grief at Christmas: 

• Acknowledge your pain. Don’t try to stuff your grief. It’s okay to cry and to feel sadness and pain over the loss of someone close. Facing that pain and hardship will allow you to work through it easier and while it won’t be a pleasurable experience, it is a necessary one.

• Talk about your loved one. Don’t be afraid to mention their name and to share stories about them. This can be a healing way to keep their memory alive. Try and keep those old traditions alive if you can. It might be a favourite movie, song or even something like a favourite ornament but share what was special to that person. It might just help to remove a little bit of that sense of dread and emptiness felt by their absence.

• Find a supportive community. There are often grief support groups available during the holidays. This can be a place to share your feelings and to listen to others who are going through similar experiences. Even if it’s not a support group, find people to talk to outside of your family and close friends if possible. It will allow you to gain new perspectives and discuss stories and memories with those not closely associated.

• Do something to honour your loved one. This could be something as simple as lighting a candle in their memory or putting up a special decoration in their honour. A special wreath over a grave is quite a popular and personal touch but perhaps taking a favourite ornament up to be with them can be a great way to keep their memories alive and share something intimate and meaningful to you.

• Seek professional help if needed. A sad truth is that most of us will go through a similar experience over the years but a positive side to that is that there is a lot of wonderful support available. You are not alone and you don’t have to deal with this alone. If you are finding it difficult to cope with your grief, don’t be afraid to seek out professional help. This can be an invaluable way to get support and to begin healing.

Grief can be particularly difficult at Christmas and there is no easy way to deal with the pain felt during this time. However, this is a totally normal and natural process and you are not alone. You will get through this. If you are ever in need of support or just an ear to listen, please do not hesitate to call us anytime on 01226 888178. We can lend an ear, offer our support as well as recommend people to talk to if you need support over the festive season.