Holidays, as well as birthdays, anniversaries, and other special days, can be stressful for many people.The following suggestions have been found useful in coping with holiday times when one is also experiencing a bereavement:

Spending a quiet evening at home, listening to music or writing a journal may be a more nurturing use of your time. Be good to yourself.

Decide which of your old traditions you want to repeat this year.Rituals from past holidays may magnify the sense of loss of your friend or family member.Sometimes these traditions may feel comforting; if not, establish a new holiday tradition.

Commemorate your loss, if possible, by putting together a photo album. This can help you ‘visit’ your loved one.

Pay attention to this inner voice - it’s one of the best friends you have!Intuition may lead us to the perfect person or activity for this moment.This is a time to respond to your own needs.

There are many times when solitude can be vital and deeply satisfying.Try to explore being alone and find out what is most compelling to do during your alone time.

Children, especially those younger than 13, grieve in a more intermittent way than adults.Children may be more interested in traditions and festivities than adults.They need not be shielded from your times of sadness; their own grief is more understandable to them if they can see that you share the same feelings.

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• Emotional Health