Bodhi Day, Sukkot, Diwali, Mawlid al-Nabi, Dia de los Muertos, Hanukkah, Christmas. This is a short list of some of the major religious holidays celebrated during the last 3 months of the year. There are also important cultural holidays that occur this time of year including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Day of Mourning, Kwanza, and New Year’s Eve. The days get shorter and the nights longer leading up to the winter solstice. It can be an especially difficult time for those experiencing grief during the holidays. The idea of the absence of a presence takes on deep meaning during holidays and other special days like birthdays and anniversaries.
Most often, holidays bring joy, cheer, and happy festivities. However, even for those not grieving a loss, a Healthline survey found about 60% of gen x’ers, millennials and baby boomers found the December “holidays” to be very or somewhat stressful. A behavioral health center blog even reports that you may not be alone if you would prefer to skip the December holiday season altogether, as about 45% of people living in the US feel the same way.
But, for those who are grieving during the holidays, these celebrations can intensify the feeling of loss. In an article written for the Mayo Clinic’s News Network, Micah Dorfner reminds us that following the death of a loved one, the sights, sounds, and smells associated with holiday celebrations can be reminders of what (or who) “they don’t have,” and common grief reactions can be experienced more strongly than anticipated.
The news about dealing with grief during the holidays isn’t all bad. A 2014 study by Carr et al examined whether older persons who had lost a spouse experienced higher levels of anxiety, depression, and grief surrounding the deceased spouse’s birthday, the winter holiday season (December and January), and around wedding anniversaries.
Their study revealed both expected and unexpected information about grief during the holidays. January and June turned out to be the most difficult months for survey respondents. It seems the post-December holiday time can be difficult, as well as the month of June, a popular time for weddings, anniversaries, and graduations. The time around a deceased spouse’s birthday can also be a significantly difficult time for people who are grieving. But, they also found that “special occasion reactions” tend to be more acute during early stages of loss and diminish over time.
So then, how do you navigate grief at Christmas, winter holidays and other special days following the death of someone important to you? Grief professionals have been making suggestions for holiday and special day considerations following the death of a loved one for some time.
Grieving during the holidays is hard, but the anticipatory grief leading up to the day, and the actual day, can be navigated with less stress when we acknowledge our feelings, develop some new rituals while honoring the old ones, and engage in thoughtful planning.
Find additional resources for dealing with grief during the holidays including, Holiday Care Kits, relaxation and meditation videos, and more.
Watch for our upcoming coping with holidays and other special days as we move through the seasons.