MartyT Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 Handling the Holidays When You're Feeling Blue By Marty Tousley "Happy Holidays!" is a greeting we hear often at this time of year - but if you're mourning the loss of a loved one, the holiday season may be anything but happy for you. Perhaps there is no time of the year when we are more aware of the empty space our loved one has left behind than during the busy holiday season. Holidays can create feelings of dread and anxiety in those of us who are bereaved. The clichéd images of family togetherness and the often unrealistic expectations of a season filled with picture-perfect, joyful gatherings can cause tremendous stress for those who are not grieving - let alone for those in the midst of the painful, isolating experience of loss. In our culture and in our mass media, the pressure to produce warm and wonderful holiday memories for and with our families is enormous. But the reality is that, when we're mourning the loss of a loved one, we may not have the energy we ordinarily do. When we're surrounded by nostalgia and traditions, even the happiest memories can hurt. When we're in the midst of pain, and the rest of the world is in the mood to give thanks and celebrate, we need to find ways to manage our pain and get through the season with a minimum of stress. Read more . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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