Coping With The Holidays: Deciding How You Want to Deal with Them

This is the second article in a series. We already decided you are coping with a loss this year. Now, we need to decide how you want to deal with the holidays. By this I mean, do you want to talk about your loss or not want to talk about it?
Lets go over 3 different things you can do to help you deal with the holidays.

1. Many times people just automatically think or expect you to talk about your loss when maybe you don't want to. Either way is up to you. It has been found to be healthier to talk about your loss. It is very healing. It is much healthier than keeping all your emotions bottled up inside until you finally just have to blow, so to speak. Allow yourself to talk about holiday memories, especially if your loss is one of a loved one. Memorialize them. Remember them. We like to talk about our family members who have passed away and keep them in our thoughts during the holidays. This is very healing.

2. That brings me to laughter. Laughter is the best medicine. The more you laugh, the better you feel. Laughter is contagious. However, so is negative energy. Stay away from the negative and stay around happy, positive people who will help you laugh. Get some people together, or even just you, and watch funny movies. Laugh until you cry.

3. Have fun. Be creative. Hopefully, you have decided that you will talk about your loss during the holidays. By this, I don't mean that that is all you talk about. I just mean, when it comes up, you can release your thoughts, and not just sit in a corner upset the whole time. So, allow yourself to have fun. Be creative with the holidays. Make a gift. If you love to bake, bake something that everyone can enjoy, and you can enjoy watching them enjoy it. Paint a picture, take a photograph, whatever. This is the time that you need to decide how you want to deal with the holiday. Make it relaxing and allow yourself to enjoy it and express your feeligs and emotions creatively. You are allowed to enjoy yourself and have fun and, don't let anyone tell you that you shouldn't.

Now you are one step closer to dealing with the holidays. The next article to help you cope will be on visualization techniques to also help you with the holiday season.