Coping with Grief and Loss with extra tips for the Holiday Season

Ann invites Grief Counseling Specialist, Kristine Rufi, to share how to cope with grief and loss especially during the holidays when the emotions are harder to cope with. Kristine not only shares about her loss of one of her teenage children, but also shares how she learned to cope to survive through that pain and go on to live a thriving, wonderful life. Her tips for the holiday season and other special days are especially helpful to help you navigate those days in ways that allows you to survive through those special times in the healthiest ways to keep yourself well as you grieve. Ann and Kristine are also joined by Stress Specialist, Dr. Jim Slaughter.

Some suggestions from Kristine:

~BE FLEXIBLE
You can put some traditions on hold or try something new. For example, you could take a walk instead of going to a party, or visit a neighbor or relative.

~ALLOW YOURSELF TO GRIEVE
It's okay to cry, feel sad, or want to be alone. But don't stay alone too long. Remember, you can also talk about your grief with others.

~TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
You might feel more tired or have mood swings, so it's important to be patient with yourself. You can try taking a bath, reading a book, or going for a walk.

~HONOR THE MEMORY OF YOUR LOVED ONE
You can honor their memory by making a new tradition, or doing something to remember them. Listen in for many suggestions.

~BE KIND TO YOURSELF
Don't feel guilty if you have moments of enjoyment. You've survived harder days before, and you'll get through this one too. Your body numbs you and only lets waves of deep emotion come for a short time and then your body numbs you again. This protects the organs and allows careful processing of very hard emotions. Take advantage of those in-between moments to do some healthy pleasures for yourself. By doing this, it allows your body to be healthier to endure the grieving emotions when the waves come. For now, there’s an element of damage control. What can I do to make a painful experience somewhat less painful? What can I give myself to look forward to? The holidays come even for the brokenhearted.There undoubtedly will be tears, but you will get through it to the other side.