Hickory – The holiday season can bring a jumble of emotions — especially for those who have recently experienced the death of a loved one. These strong feelings can be harder to manage
than friends and family members may realize. Carolina Caring’s VP of Community Relations, Kelly Tate, offers five holiday tips that can help you cope with emotions that may surface during the holidays.
Plan ahead.
Decide what you want to do and who you want to spend time with during each holiday, but give yourself permission to change your mind.
Accept your limitations.
Do not commit to more than you have the energy to do.
Take care of yourself.
Exercise, take a walk, eat a balanced diet, and get plenty of rest.
Evaluate your traditions.
Which ones are meaningful?
Which do you want to keep?
Which have outgrown their usefulness?
Which would you like to skip this year?
Which are important to keep, even if they are difficult?
Memorialize your loved one:
Light a candle in their memory
Put together a photo album
Create a special ornament
Display a fresh flower
Toast your loved one
Observe a moment of silence
Give a gift in your loved one’s name
If you are struggling to cope with grief this holiday season, Carolina Caring has support groups that can help. All support groups are free and open to Carolina Caring clients as well as those in the community who have experienced loss. At this time, most support groups require registration. For groups that meet virtually, instructions will be provided. To register, please visit carolinacaring.org/support, email [email protected] or call 828.466.0466.
Carolina Caring, founded in 1979, is an independent, community-based, nonprofit health care provider. It specializes in programs that offer relief from chronic conditions, serious illnesses, and the challenges they bring, including palliative medicine and hospice care for all ages, primary care and grief counseling. Currently, Carolina Caring serves 12 counties across western North Carolina and the Charlotte Region. For more information about Carolina Caring, please call 828.466.0466 or visit www.CarolinaCaring.org
Photo: Kelly Tate.
