IT IS NOT EASY to deal with grief and loss at any time of the year, but the holidays heighten these emotions. The following tips will help lessen the feeling of being alone and equip everyone with tactics to face the cheer of the season.
No. 1. Allow: Express your feelings and don’t bottle them up. Share your feelings, thoughts, and emotions with family and friends. The need for support is often greater during this time of the year.
No. 2. Remember: Start a new ritual. Burn a special candle in remembrance of your loved one. Watch movies or listen to music that your loved one enjoyed. Hang a special stocking for family members to place notes of thoughts and feelings.
No. 3. Consider: Doing something special for someone else can be helpful to you too. Adopt a needy family or purchase a gift for your loved one and then donate it to a charity.
No. 4. Celebrate: Do not be afraid to have fun and enjoy the holidays. It is not disrespectful to laugh and enjoy yourself. Give yourself and others permission to celebrate and take pleasure in the holidays. Remember the reason for the season.
No. 5. Accept: Above all, be patient with yourself and others. Every individual is unique and different and we all grieve and heal in different ways and time frames.
This column is sponsored by Good Shepherd Hospice. At Good Shepherd Hospice, every day is devoted to educating our patients and keeping them healthy and as comfortable as possible in the place they call home. We are dedicated to ensuring that patients and their families have the tools to make educated decisions about important healthcare matters. For more information, please call 1-800-544-3280 or visit us at chaptershealth.org/hospice.
CREDIT
column by DR. ROBERT WEISSINGER
BIO: Board certified in Family Practice, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Dr. Robert Weissinger received his medical degree from the University of Osteopathic Medicine & Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa. After serving as the chief medical officer for Hospice and Palliative Medicine of North Iowa, Dr. Weissinger relocated to Florida to become the medical director at Good Shepherd Hospice.