Checklist: 6 Ways to Manage Grief During the Holidays
Coping with grief during the holidays—especially at Christmas—can feel overwhelming if you’ve lost someone you love.
Christmas and the holidays surrounding it are a time of year known for nostalgia and tradition, so when someone who was a part of your favorite holiday memories is no longer with you, it can be difficult to find joy in the merriest time of the year.
Thankfully, there are ways to make this time of year a little easier if you’re grieving—including our six ideas to help you get started below. While these ideas won’t make your grief go away, they can be a tool you use to manage how you feel during this season.
Ways to manage grief during the holidays include:
- Talk to Someone Who Understands
- Spend Time with Family
- Take Care of Yourself
- Create a Memorial of Your Loved One
- Continue Their Favorite Traditions
- Give Yourself Breaks
1. Talk to Someone Who Understands
Grief can feel isolating, which is why it is so important to continue connecting with other people who have been through the same thing before or are experiencing this loss alongside you. Reach out to people who understand—whether that’s a friend, family member, or grief therapist. Talking about what you’re going through can help you process your emotions and feel supported during this holiday season and for the months that follow.
2. Spend Time with Family
Family is the most precious gift. Set aside time over the holidays to be with them. Whether a big get-together with all of your aunts, uncles, and cousins or a couple of hours chatting with your sister over hot cocoa, this time spent with family can help you feel closer to the people you love. Family can give you a new perspective on the difficult days you’ve been facing, helping you to heal from some of the grief you’ve been carrying.
3. Take Care of Yourself
The best way to help yourself feel better is to take care of yourself. By putting in the effort to eat well, exercise, rest, and make time for quiet reflection, you can set yourself up with the strength and energy it takes to navigate the holidays as you grieve.
4. Create a Memorial of Your Loved One
Your Loved One may be gone, but it’s still important that you carry their memory with you—especially during the holidays. One way to do this is by creating a memorial that reminds you of them. For the holiday season, consider personalizing a Christmas Ornament with their fingerprint. Each time you see the decoration on your tree, you’ll know that they are still with you.
5. Continue Their Favorite Traditions
You can keep your Loved One as a part of your favorite Christmas or other holiday traditions, even after they’ve passed away. Consider keeping a photo of them close by in your living room, lighting a candle at your church in their memory, or cooking their favorite dish for your family celebration. Even a small reminder of your Loved One can have a big impact on keeping them with you during this special time of the year.
6. Give Yourself Breaks
The holidays are the busiest time of the year for many people. In all of the hustle and bustle, prioritize rest. Give yourself a break before you become overwhelmed. By doing so, you’ll allow yourself to feel your emotions in a healthy way. Plus, slowing down can help you to appreciate the beauty of the season around you—even while in the midst of grief.
It’s Okay to Grieve During the Holidays
If you’re having a hard time facing the holiday season after a Loved One has died, that’s normal. It’s okay to still be grieving someone you were close to, even if they died weeks, months, or years ago. What’s important is that you’re taking the time to care for yourself.
We hope that these tips for grieving at Christmas can help you this holiday season. Please know that we’re wishing you abundant peace and comfort now and always.
If creating a memorial sounds like something you’d like to do, explore our Fingerprint Christmas Ornaments and other personalized Jewelry designed to keep Loved Ones close during the holidays.
