Being Social is a Healthy Way to Grieve

During the holidays we often reflect on people we have lost in our lives. Relationships expert Julie Hanks shares 4 helpful ways to manage the grieving process.

Transcript

00:00

Hi. I'm Julie Hanks, LCSW, with some suggestions for how to manage grief during the holidays.

00:07

In my clinical practice, I work with a lot of people who have a particularly difficult time during the holiday season, as they think

00:14

about loved ones who passed on. I want to give you a few suggestions for how to get through this time in a healthy way,

00:22

so your grief doesn't become more serious depression. It's OK to schedule grieving.

00:30

I know that might sound kind of weird. But it-- set aside a time of day or a day of the week that is your time to cry, reminisce, and really let

00:40

yourself process those, those longing and missing feelings. The second tip is socialize with other people.

00:49

There's a tendency to isolate when you're missing someone, and you're grieving someone. But continue to go to social events, family gatherings,

00:57

and that will really help you move through the grief. Third, create some kind of ritual to remember your loved one.

01:05

Maybe that's gathering your family around during the holidays and telling a story about your husband

01:11

who's passed on. Or if you lost a child, maybe, you know, showing some of-- a toy or a favorite story.

01:19

So create some kind of way to specifically to remember that loved one each year.

01:26

And then lastly, I want to suggest that you talk about the grief. Get support.

01:32

That might be a support group with other people who've lost loved ones. That might be just talking with friends or family.

01:38

But talk about it. And process those feelings of longing, especially during the holiday. It's really, really difficult when someone you love is gone.

01:48

But you can get through this. And here are a few suggestions. Thanks so much. I'm Julie Hanks, LCSW.