Managing Stress and Grief During the Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, the cheerful spirit often comes with an underlying sense of stress. For many, the pressure to create the perfect celebration, juggle family obligations, and meet work deadlines can lead to overwhelming anxiety. Recognizing this challenge, Boundless aims to provide individuals with the comfort and support they need during the holidays. 

Nathanael Bloss is a licensed professional counselor and mental health program coordinator at Boundless. He observes that during the holiday season, there is often immense pressure for the festivities to be the highlight of the year. However, this expectation doesn't hold true for everyone. 

“The expectations that are set, whether through advertisements or marketing, often show everyone with smiles on their faces. But we all know underneath the surface that there are some real stressors that come with the holidays, whether financial, family-related, or travel-related,” said Bloss. 

Darcel Theiss, a leader of GriefShare groups at a local church in Central Ohio, finds that the holidays invoke a variety of emotions for her personally following the loss of her husband in 2020. While reflecting on how she has navigated these emotions in the past, Theiss emphasizes the importance of balancing tradition with adaptability. 

“It’s very important to respect and have your traditions, but I think it's also important to keep those traditions, but maybe do them in a different way,” Theiss said. 

Both Theiss and Bloss touched on the importance of self-care during the holidays, focusing on taking time for oneself to get through any emotional challenges the season may bring. During the pandemic, while navigating life without her husband and limited social interaction, Theiss picked up exercising as a form of self-care. 

“Whether it be going for a walk or exercising, those activities are very important for healing, no matter what you’re going through,” Theiss said. 

Bloss agrees self-care is a good coping strategy. “It is not selfish, and it is a hard task to learn.”  

The holidays can be a challenging time for many because they can elicit a range of emotions and memories that serve as triggers, making it difficult to manage the holiday season. It’s important to recognize and address these emotional responses to prevent feeling overwhelmed. 

“Grief can look different in different aspects, but knowing that particular senses can trigger memories, we work to find what those triggers are and how we can work with them. We must still live a productive daily life while acknowledging, ‘Hey, maybe I know this is not what's best for me in this moment right now. I’m not saying it won’t ever be, but right now, I can't; that's not for me,’” Bloss said. 

Theiss first attended GriefShare as a class member, but then found it so valuable, she became a GriefShare leader to help others. It helps her get through the festive season having the support of a caring community. Throughout her grief journey, she has struggled with comparing her grief to that of others. However, through the guidance and understanding offered by GriefShare, she is learning that each person’s grief is unique and that it’s okay to honor her own feelings during this challenging time. 

“We all grieve differently, and the way you grieve is totally fine. I tended to compare my grief to someone who outwardly was showing their emotions more than I did, and I sort of felt, well, gosh, maybe I didn't love as much as I should have, because I'm not showing that love. For me, GriefShare gave me the realization that it's individual; it's totally what you need to happen. There is no timeline in grief, and it just takes its time, and it's okay. You can be okay with how grief is happening within you,” Theiss said. 

Reynoldsburg Community Church will host a “Surviving the Holidays” event on Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon. The event will feature a video presentation followed by a group discussion. Participants will receive a book titled “Surviving the Holidays,” which serves as a resource to help understand experiences and feelings, offering strategies for navigating the challenges of the season. This event is open to the public. To find an event or group near you go to griefshare.org. Need Help Dealing with Grief? - GriefShare