Wellbeing | Coping with Hard Times

Christmas can feel tough when you’re missing someone special. Here are a few simple ways to make life a little easier

Treat yourself
Perhaps it’s a bright scarf, a soft blanket or a hot water bottle, anything that makes you feel comforted and joyful.

Ask yourself what you need
Reach out to those who care about you. Ask for help, some company or a hug.

Be mindful of social media
Scrolling through pictures of ‘perfect’ Christmases isn’t helpful if you’re not feeling your best.

Pass on kindness
Do something for someone else who might be finding it hard, too.

Allow yourself to be sad
Try not to use busyness as a way to avoid the feelings.

The advice above is taken from our feature ‘Comfort and Joy’ by Rebecca Frank in our December issue and is all about how to care for yourself on difficult Christmases.

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More from our December issue…

More wellbeing inspiration…

Alternative funerals

Losing a loved one is never easy, but new ways to deal with death can help us find comfort after bereavement, some of which are explored on page 72 of February's The Simple Things. 

Alternative funerals

• Sacredstones.co.uk offers last resting places for ashes inspired by Bronze Age funeral barrows – a network of underground passages with candlelit niches set into the wall for urns – in Wiltshire and Cambridgeshire.
   
• The Natural Death Centre lists green burial sites throughout the UK, where trees and wild flowers mark resting places for bodies and ashes (naturaldeath.org.uk).
   
• DIY funerals are growing in popularity (there is no legal requirement to use a funeral service). For more information, see goodfuneralguide.co.uk, onlywithlove.co.uk and finalfling.com.
   
• Cardboard coffins are an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional versions, and can be customised with your own design or photograph. See creativecoffins.com.

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