Posted on: 8 Dec 2020
Jeanette Watts, bereavement counsellor at Nottingham Hospitals, supports people who have lost a loved one. In our special blog, she shares her advice on how to cope with loss during the Christmas period.
I have found that whether it is the first Christmas that a person is facing, or whether the loss happened years previously, it can still be a very painful time. Memories of past times can bring smiles and comfort but also sadness and loneliness.
Sometimes the anticipation of Christmas can be harder to cope with than the actual event, especially if this is the first Christmas since the loss. This year, with COVID-19 restrictions in place, not seeing family and friends who may be able to help manage the anticipation and worry can make this even harder to bear.
The world may seem full of cosy adverts on TV showing families together, the same for Christmas films and other programmes. Perhaps ones that in the past have been shared with a loved one.
Christmas cards and music are everywhere, as are decorations and special food and drink, all of which hold memories. It is virtually impossible to escape.
What is extremely important is to recognise that every bereaved person will have their own ways of coping with Christmas and with their feelings and thoughts about it.
Here are some suggestions for helping cope with grief this festive season:
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