How to handle grief during the holidays?

If you have a bigger family that has always celebrated holidays in a big way, don't stop now. That will only magnify the sorrow. Tells stories " do you remember the year when"....If you are doing something where the beloved helped...say " now this is how (the person) did it" let's try it that way...if it doesn't work, laughter will take over & it's just like they were with you. Whatever, don't mope. My mother passed Thanksgiving day & we went on with our celebration that year & include her in every Thanksgiving since,saying "Let's dig into the special (whatever) that grandma always made "

I love to volunteer on Xmas day to serve dinner at the Braille Institute. It really helps to keep your spirits up to volunteer on the holidays at a big organization.It's fun and you are around the other volunteers so you aren't isolated.

I believe what you're doing is called avoidance coping. There are lots of good articles for you to read on good websites like the NIH or Psychology Today. In your efforts to avoid the holidays you're actually bringing more stress and anxiety into your life. Good luck!

I wish I had the answer, but perhaps just take a day at a time. Also, it can help to not go to malls, etc. that have a lot of holiday decorations. I know there are countries that don't celebrate Christmas, and I've heard of people going there for part of the holiday season.