Grieving During the Holiday Season The loss of a loved one is especially heavy during the holidays, a season full of joy and celebration. The swell of grief can be overwhelming, so prioritize taking care of yourself as you wade through “the most wonderful time of the year.”
WRITTEN BY
JEAN MALONE, LMHC OF SARATOGA HOSPITAL Jean Malone is a licensed mental health counselor at the Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Oncology/Hematology office. She has a master’s degree in counseling psychology, a certificate in bereavement studies, and 13 years of hospice experience. Jean manages the bimonthly Grief Support Group for grieving adults in the area.
Accept that grieving is necessary for healing. Don’t apologize for grieving and don’t set an arbitrary timeline to work through your grief. It’s a process, and everyone experiences it differently. You will have to navigate ups and downs influenced by your relationship with the person you lost, the circumstances surrounding their death, as well as your own life experiences. As you move through the process, it’s only natural to experience some or all of the following: • Trouble thinking and concentrating • Anxiousness or depression • Loss of appetite • Difficulty sleeping • Anger • Isolation These feelings are uncomfortable. That is why it’s so important to acknowledge them, rather than disregard them. While you may want to bury your head in the sand until the new year, trying to ignore your grief feelings will only prolong the anguish. Things will get more bearable, but only with good grief work: Accept that the holiday season will be difficult and make plans to get through it.
54 | SARATOGA FAMILY | WINTER 2021
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