The holiday season can be challenging when you are dealing with the loss of a loved one. You may find it difficult to put on a smile, be engaged, and keep busy when you’ve experienced loss. That’s why it’s important to take intentional steps to manage your grief and not let it overcome you.

Surround yourself with support

It’s important to surround yourself with people who love and support you. Share your feelings with them and let them know what you’re experiencing. Just sharing your feelings allows you to unload the burden of your feelings instead of trying to go through this challenging time alone.

Honor traditions and memories

Memorializing the person you’ve lost can help you acknowledge your grief and move through it. You could light a candle in their honor, make a charitable donation, or recreate a meal or game that reminds you of the memories you created with your loved one. However you do it, allowing yourself the chance to honor and reflect can help you feel close to those you have lost.

Acknowledge your feelings

It’s okay to feel sad, angry, or confused over the loss you experienced. You need to grieve in your own time and take time to feel those feelings when they overcome you. If you simply try to move on without expressing your emotions, it could be harmful to your mental wellbeing.

Connect with a professional

Sometimes grief is overwhelming. No matter how hard you’ve tried to move on and relinquish the negative feelings you are experiencing, sometimes you can’t, and that’s okay. Honor your process, and acknowledge there is no right or wrong way to grieve.

It may be beneficial to seek grief counseling or join a support group. At Valley Oaks Health, we offer individual and group therapy so you can share how you are feeling and be uplifted by others.