Perhaps this is the first year after you’ve lost someone you love. Maybe your spouse or parent is no longer there to be part of the holidays, share their stories, or handle the family’s Christmas Day orchestration.
It could be that your loved one is dying now. Perhaps they passed away a few years ago, but you haven’t found your way forward just yet. Grief and depression are very real, raw feelings that many people experience during every season of the year. The holidays seem to amplify it, though.
At Willow Creek Behavioral Health, we are here for you always. If you are facing difficult times right now, perhaps those that have you living in a state of depression, don’t wait to contact us. We’re here to help you navigate what you’re facing. Learn more about our depression treatment programs in Green Bay.
Give Your Pain a Name
Going through the motions. Waking up tearful. Struggling to stop a racing mind. All of these are common elements of grief, and they can lead to serious depression when unchecked.
Studies show that 1 in 10 people develop prolonged grief disorder or complicated grief, conditions where grief seems to be extensive. This can transition into severe depression. This is the type of grief and depression that benefits from professional treatment.
Could you be suffering from the signs of depression? If you’re struggling with the following, it’s time to speak to a professional about treatment options:
- A constant or semi-constant state of being sad
- Grief and depression that infiltrate your daily responsibilities
- Feeling physical pain and heartache due to depression
- Thoughts of harming yourself or others
- Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
Not everyone reaches this level. If you’re not there yet, but you want help navigating these difficult moments, consider a few simple, effective strategies.
How to Cope With Grief During the Holidays
These strategies can help you deal with those intense moments of pain and heartbreak you feel during this holiday season.
Be Realistic With Your Commitments
During this period of your life, your brain needs time to heal. Trying to do “all the things’ holiday when you’re already overloaded isn’t likely to be possible. You’ll find it’s harder than ever, even if you just want things to seem normal again.
- Let others help you with some of the responsibilities this year.
- Consider skipping a few of the activities that you may not feel comfortable going to this year.
- Avoid high-stress environments, such as the mall. Make purchases from home instead.
Being realistic with yourself creates an opportunity to heal while also forming new habits and experiences. You’re being more authentically you at the stage of your life you are in right now.
Don’t Push Away the Support You Need
This is a very good time to take up others on their offerings for help or to spend time with you. Surround yourself with people who support you and love you. That can make some of the routine experiences of the holidays a bit easier to manage this year.
If you don’t have anyone offering support, seek out bereavement therapy programs within your community. Look for online forums and groups just for those who have lost and are suffering from the pain.
Don’t Try to Cancel the Holiday
It seems so easy to shut the door and not deal with anything until after the New Year rolls in. As tempting as that is, it’s not necessarily beneficial to you or your loved ones. Even when you’re in the midst of depression, make some time to celebrate the holiday. You don’t have to isolate yourself or avoid all holiday activities.
Just make some time for grieving. That may mean:
- Incorporating some instances of solitude into your day.
- Pulling back a bit on the activities, but still finding a way to be thankful during the holiday season.
- Balance your time along with social activities. That may mean stepping into new experiences instead of focusing just on the things you used to do every other year.
Grief is challenging because it’s a process. Your brain needs time to process and work through the challenges. That often means putting some extra time into you during the holidays.
Know When to Get Treatment and Support
It’s easy for some to say they feel depressed during the holidays. When your grief is so intense that it causes you to feel pain, it’s time to reach out for help. Turn to Willow Creek Behavioral Health in Green Bay, Wisconsin for the support you need now. Contact us now to learn how we can help you.
