Coping with grief and loss during the holiday season can be an incredibly difficult challenge.
At a time when joy and celebration are expected, it can feel overwhelming to try to find meaningful ways of engaging in the festive spirit.
If you’re looking for guidance on how to manage your emotions this holiday season, then I’m here to help. I want to ensure that self-care is your number one priority so you can plan ahead and take care of yourself by doing what feels right for you.
Together, let’s make this Christmas season a little easier. Take a deep breath, and let’s get started.
What Is the Best Way of Dealing With Grief?
Dealing with our emotions can be one of the most challenging aspects of grieving, especially during the holidays.
Many years ago, people were much wiser when it came to their feelings—they wore black and went through a period of mourning as an acceptance of grief until those feelings no longer required deep attention.
It’s important to give ourselves this same permission to “feel” without trying to push away or suppress our emotions.
After all, your feelings are the most real thing you have—they are your greatest truth-teller. By being aware and articulate about your feelings, you will eventually become more comfortable in managing them until they’re no longer required to be felt.
For example, if you’re feeling tremendous sadness, then allow yourself to say so out loud. It’s important not to punish yourself or feel guilty for these emotions.
Give yourself the space and permission to mourn, and though it may take some time, eventually, you will start to feel more in control of your emotions.
What Happens if You Ignore Your Grief?
Sometimes we’re aware of our feelings, but we don’t accept them.
It’s natural for us to feel and express our emotions, yet when it comes to painful ones, we often try to push them away. We may think or say things like, “I shouldn’t feel this way” or “I don’t want to upset people by talking about my pain.”
But suppressing our feelings does not make them go away—in fact, it can have the opposite effect.
Trying to push our feelings down with food, drink, or distractions such as binge-watching Netflix won’t make that emotion go away. Instead, your feelings will likely regroup and come back stronger than ever.
While accepting your grief can be scary at first, I want you to know that, eventually, these negative emotions will become more manageable.
It’s essential to take care of yourself, especially during the festive season when it may feel like there is pressure to be happy. So give yourself permission for the time you need to process your emotions and reach out for support whenever you can.
What Are The Five Stages of Grief?
When dealing with grief and loss, it can be helpful to acknowledge the five stages of grief:
- Denial
- Anger
- Pain
- Acceptance
- Moving on
Remember that these stages may not come in any particular order and each stage needs time to process and heal.
Denial
Denial is a natural part of the grieving process. You may find yourself in disbelief that something has happened or at the magnitude of your loss. In these times, it’s essential to allow yourself permission to feel this denial without judgment.
Anger
Following denial, you may experience feelings of anger. This could range from mild annoyance right through to rage. You must recognize and acknowledge these feelings and find healthy ways of managing your anger.
For example, try writing down your thoughts or engaging in an activity such as meditation, running, or yoga that allows you to let out any frustrations.
Do not suppress these feelings; instead, give yourself permission to speak out loud and to feel.
Pain
Pain is often the most intense of emotions that you may experience following a loss. It can be helpful to take time away from others and allow yourself some moments of privacy to fully process your pain. Caring for yourself with self-compassion at this time is essential to provide comfort in an overwhelming situation.
Acceptance
Acceptance does not mean forgetting the person or event but rather coming to terms with what has happened. This stage can bring with it some relief as well as sadness and will vary from person to person.
Be gentle with yourself during this stage, allowing yourself permission to move forward when you are ready on your own timeline.
Moving On
Finally, moving on involves accepting your loss and finding ways to honor your pain whilst also appreciating the joys that life can bring.
Grief does not have a predictable timeline, and you should be kind to yourself as you move through this process.
What To Do At Christmas When You Are Grieving
There’s no doubt that Christmas can be a particularly challenging time when you are grieving the loss of a loved one.
It’s important to remember that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and to take things at your own pace.
You may want to spend some time alone or with supportive friends and family during the holidays—whatever works best for you. Setting boundaries and giving yourself permission to engage in Christmas activities or take a break from them is essential during this time.
Although others may encourage you to attend social gatherings, giving yourself some space away from others can help facilitate healing; there is no wrong or right way when it comes to grief, and dealing with it will look different for everyone.
Harness the Power of Hypnosis To Overcome Grief
If you are dealing with a loss, then try my Overcome Grief self-hypnosis audio to harness the power of hypnosis to find acceptance and healing this festive season.
This 25-minute session guides your mind into a deeply relaxed state, where positive suggestions are embedded into your subconscious.
With continued practice, this audio session can create new pathways in your subconscious mind to help reduce deep pain associated with grief and increase confidence and positivity when viewing your future outlook.
For maximum effect, listen to this audio for 21 days and continue as needed. By connecting with your inner power, hypnosis can be an extraordinary support for you during this difficult period.
Final Thoughts
Please know you absolutely have the power to overcome grief and loss.
By planning ahead, setting boundaries, and focusing on self-care, it is absolutely possible to find solace—even in the festive season.
Take comfort in knowing that there are so many people here for you—your family, friends, support groups, and indeed professional help. You can always find someone who will listen to you, and there is no need to feel alone.
If you’re looking for fast and powerful help, I highly recommend you check out my Overcome Grief self-hypnosis audio. Hypnosis can be a great support during this difficult period to accelerate your journey toward acceptance and moving on to enjoy the joys of life once again.
Remember—there is no right or wrong way to experience grief and loss; take the time to do whatever feels right for you and know that you are not alone.
Your life may not ever be the same, but you can still have a great life where you laugh, smile, and love again.
I hope these tips have been helpful in navigating the holiday season after a loss, and I wish you peace, strength, and love.
