How to manage Christmas in the face of the death of a loved one

Tips so that the Christmas holidays do not make you suffer more if you have lost someone.

Christmas is approaching; when I am on my way to the clinic in Marqués del Turia, I see that Valencia is beginning to be decorated, filled with lights, decorations, colors and joy.

Christmas is par excellence the time of the year of peace and happiness, of getting together as a family to celebrate. However, for some people who have just lost for some people who have just lost a loved one, it can be a very painful time of the year.. Everything around us invites us to have fun, to celebrate, to share joy, and yet for those who have recently suffered a loss, this festive atmosphere contrasts with the sadness felt and the Pain suffered. Even people who are religious experience a great contradiction in the celebration of the birth of Christ and the death of a loved one, it is a difficult time without a doubt.

Therefore, these holidays pose a great challenge for these people who, in the face of the memories and intensified emotions, feel a lot of sadness for that loss and also have feelings of guilt.

Some of my patients tell me that laughing, having a good time, or enjoying a celebration generates a great sense of guilt and feelings of constant confrontation. and feelings of constant confrontation. During Christmas, it is very common for this feeling of guilt and feeling bad to appear, because everything invites to celebrate and enjoy with the family. If you or a family member or friend of yours is going through this situation, I would like to explain to you that there are some guidelines to manage the Christmas period in a more pleasant way.

Guidelines for managing Christmas in the face of the death of a loved one.

These are some tips to help overcome the grief phase when we suffer the loss of a loved one.

1. Talk and plan as a family what you are going to do.

The first thing I would like to recommend is that if it is an immediate family member, you should have a family meeting to plan the holidays, which celebrations are going to be held and which are not, in case you do not want to do some of them, and agree on everything as a family.

2. Let yourself be loved by others

Even if you feel empty, try to appreciate the signs of affection that other people give you, and open your heart.and open your heart.

3. Let yourself go and enjoy this date and the rest of the family, they also need you.

Let yourself be carried away by the spirit of Christmas, peace and love, although it may seem hard on the one hand, on the other hand, it is a good scenario to face the loss, and go through the mourning that we all have to go through when a family member leaves us. What better than to do it in family, in company, remembering him, and overcoming his loss little by little.

4. Create a reminder

Another guideline that works for many people is to remember the person who has gone to remember the person who has left with a symbol.. For example, put a candle, frame a nice picture we have of the person and put it in a visible place during the Christmas season, put an ornament on the Christmas tree that reminds us of the person, make a photo album and share it with the family during these days, etc.

5. Do not avoid the subject

Many times we avoid naming the person because it hurts to talk about him or her, but it is beneficial to remember him or her, especially during the holidays. it is beneficial to remember him or her, especially during these dates.. For example, before dinner, you can say a few words, or ask for a toast, or perform a special action for that person, such as making a mass in his or her honor, for example.

6. Don't feel bad about laughing, enjoying yourself with family or friends.

Surely that person who is gone would want you to enjoy these moments and remember them with joy. and to remember them with joy.

7. Adapt this process to your needs

In spite of all this I say, first of all you must understand that each person needs his or her own grieving process, his or her own time.It may be in one way or another. There are people who need to cry and others do not, there are people who need to express their feelings and others do not need to, or cannot, or decide to do so at another time.

Above all, everyone has to respect themselves, and be patient with their own feelings. Little by little everything will come back to normal, but you have to give yourself time.. In some cases, however, grief becomes an insurmountable process by oneself, and the help of a professional is needed. Please feel free to contact me if you have doubts or need more information. A professional psychologist can help you to overcome stages that you may not be able to face alone.

I hope I have helped you.