Camino del Sol Funeral Chapel & Cremation Center is a paid sponsor of Sonoran Living
We have entered the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. For those experiencing their first holiday season without a loved one who has passed, this time of year can seem like an endless period of great sorrow and loneliness.
For those of you still grieving, the holidays do not necessarily have to be a horrible time of year. You may feel like hiding from the holidays, but do not let this be an option. You must learn to move forward with your grief. Luckily there are some steps you can take to help yourself get through this difficult time:
1. Plan Ahead - Those who have the most difficulty during the holidays are those who have given little thought to the challenges they will encounter. Be proactive and intentional; make lists and plan your activities. Stick to the plan. In doing so, you just might find yourself on the other end of the holidays feeling far less sorrow and loneliness than you expected.
2. Accept Your Limitations - Do yourself a favor and accept the fact that you are probably not going to be able to knock your list out in a single day. Select only a few tasks to complete in a day. If you start feeling overwhelmed, stop what you are doing and breathe. The task will get done, but you need to take care of yourself first.
3. Take Good Physical Care of Yourself - Exercising reduces stress and increases your sense of well-being. A properly balanced diet will give your body the energy it requires to get through the day. Also, drug use and excessive drinking of alcohol is never an answer. They may numb you, but they do not let you process your feelings.
4. Get the Sleep You Need - Experiencing the death of a loved one requires a great deal of physical and emotional strength. Give your body the time it needs to rest and regenerate.
5. Experience Your Emotions - It's okay to feel sad. It's okay to feel good. Give yourself permission to cry if you feel you need to do so. Find a person within whom you can confide and tell them all the crazy thoughts going through your head. Get those thoughts out; they lose control over you when you do.
Remember that you are a work in progress now; you are creating a new sense of normality for yourself. Lower your expectations of what the holidays are going to be, because no matter what you do, they will never be the same as they were before. I'll let you in on a little secret: we never get over it. We simply learn how to move forward with it. That takes time and only you will know when you are ready to take the next step. It can be scary, but I want you to know that I have faith in you. You're going to get through this and you're going to be just fine!
Camino del Sol Funeral Chapel & Cremation Center
13738 Camino del Sol,
Sun City West
(623) 584-6299
CaminoDelSol.com
