Managing Grief During the Holidays

The holiday season can be a difficult time for someone navigating grief. This time is often filled with a sense of nostalgia, family traditions, and time spent with loved ones. When you’ve lost a person that’s a part of these memories, the holidays don’t have the same shine.

Grief looks different from person to person. Grief is not a linear process- there are better moments and more difficult ones. And often, the holidays are among the difficult times where grief can rear its head.

 What are some ways to better manage grief during this season?

1) Don’t push yourself.

There’s often a busy agenda during the holiday season. It’s okay to not attend every event.

2) Listen to your body and emotions.

Check in with yourself. How are you feeling physically? What emotions are you feeling? It may be a combination of several things. How you feel may impact if you want to spend time with others, spend time alone, be active, take a nap, etc.

3) Honor your missed loved one.

There are a number of ways in which you can honor your loved one. You can donate to a cause in their honor or volunteer for a non-profit they are passionate about. You can look through a photo album or visit their place of rest. You can play their favorite music or cook their favorite dish.

4) Ask for support.

Sometimes we just need someone to be with us while we are suffering. Communicate your needs to your family and friends and let them know how they can support you.

5) Talk about your loved one.

Talking with your support system can be cathartic. Sharing your favorite memories of your loved one or talking about what you miss about them can keep their memory alive.

6) Decide what traditions to keep.

The holidays now look different, so decide which traditions still feel okay to keep the same and which ones need to change (or could be scrapped). Family can be quite protective of their traditions, so you can always create boundaries around what you feel comfortable participating in.

7) Practice self-care.

Take time for you. Move your body, talk to a friend, drink water, practice mindfulness, do something creative, spend time with your pet, watch your favorite movie, journal, or any other self-care practice that sounds appealing.  

Leslie is a therapist at Marigold Counseling. Click here to learn more and work with Leslie!