Coping with Grief During the Holidays

Grief is a curious thing. It is supposed to get better with time, but what it really does is change you over time. It changes the way you look at things. It changes the decisions that you make. It changes the relationships that you have with others. It ultimately changes and affects every aspect of your life.

There is no right or wrong way to deal with grief, but know that you are not alone. Many people suffer the loss of a loved one, and it is no secret that dealing with grief during the holidays is a difficult feat. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to include your loved one.

Start a tradition to honor the person you lost. This could be sharing a memory about them each holiday, lighting a candle for them, or any other tradition that helps you deal with the loss.

Spend time with family and friends over the holidays, if you enjoy doing that. If you need to take a break from celebrating a holiday due to the grief, that is okay too. Think about what is healthy grieving for you. This will look different for everyone. 

Give yourself permission to work through the grief, whether the loss was recent or in the past. There is no amount of time that is right or wrong. Grief affects everyone differently, and dealing with grief during the holidays will most likely always affect your life in some way.

The most important thing to remember is to be patient with yourself. Maneuvering through grief during the holidays is very difficult, and each situation is different. Be sure to be patient with others who are grieving as well.

Submitted by Heather Leindecker