6 Tips for Coping with Grief During the Holidays

As we know, grieving the loss of a loved one is never easy. However, grieving during the holiday season can be especially difficult. Here are six tips for coping with grief during the holiday season. 

1. Be open

   Holidays will look different than they previously have. You are not only grieving your loved one but also what life looked like with them. Allow yourself to be open to having new experiences in the days ahead.  

2. Plan ahead for the day

   This tip is not just for coping with grief during the holidays, but also on birthdays, anniversaries, or any milestone date. Think about how you would like to feel on the upcoming holiday. Take some time to identify what you could do (or not do) that will cultivate that feeling.  

3. Create new traditions

   We know that things will not be exactly the same as they were. But that doesn’t mean that beauty cannot be found in the days ahead. Create new traditions. Or explore ways to revisit your usual traditions in different ways.

4. Honor the memory of your loved one

   Coping with grief doesn’t mean that we ignore the loss. Think of ways that you can honor the memory of your loved one. Look for inspiration in activities they enjoyed, people or places they loved, or causes that were important to them. Honoring their memory could also look like doing something kind for someone else in your loved one’s name.

5. Feel your feelings

   An important reminder for coping with grief during the holidays is to avoid suppressing your emotions. Name them and feel them. You are not bringing down the mood by being honest about how you feel. You are not a negative person. Remember, grief is hard. While grieving, your emotions can shift from day to day or even moment to moment just like the waves of the ocean. Give yourself permission to feel the full range of emotions that may arise. There is space for grief and joy to coexist.

6. Connect with others

   Find community and lean on your tribe. Identify the people who you feel physically and emotionally safe with. These are the people with whom you can be your authentic self. Give yourself permission to let them be there for you and support you through your grief. Remember, you are not a burden. It gives your loved ones great pleasure to be there for you just as you’ve been there for them. 

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