Ways to Help a Grieving Friend During the Holidays
Many of us know someone who has lost a loved one during the holiday season. It is an unfortunate occurrence to lose someone during a time of such joy and excitement. This polarization of feelings can leave a loved one sad, depressed and lonely. Here are a few things you can do to help someone in this situation. Keep this advice in mind as you talk or visit with a grieving person.
Listen
Listen without changing the subject and with sincere earnest. Talk about favorite memories of the lost loved one, especially if you have a cherished holiday memory. Don’t dominate or lead the conversation away from the deceased if your friend does not want to. Sometimes they need to talk through their feelings to get past the grief.
Be A Comfort
Provide comfort without simply agreeing with the mourner. Share your experiences of loss or what helped you when you were sad or lonely. Validate their feelings.
Be a Trustful Friend
Make sure to assure them of your confidence and KEEP IT.
Make Yourself Available
Make time to visit or talk to someone who is grieving. Many may shy away from talking to someone who is grieving because they don’t want to bother them but this in fact exacerbates that person’s feeling of isolation and loneliness. Invite them over for lunch, out for coffee or to share a Christmas tradition with you and your family. Or drop by with some hot cocoa and ask them to talk about their Christmas ornaments, pictures or favorite traditions.
Encourage Healthy Living
Grief can cause us to put our basic needs on the back burner. Encourage a grieving friend to get rest and exercise even when it seems unimportant. Encourage them to eat well. Call them up to take a walk around the neighborhood or in the mall or invite them over for a healthy dinner.
Suggestions provided by the CDC