Why Grief is Harder During the Holidays + How You Can Feel Better This Year

The holiday season is meant to be a time of joy and celebration, but if you’re missing a family member or friend who has died, it can be tough to navigate. Below are the reasons why grief is so much more difficult during this time of year, and ways you can find peace while coping with loss.

Why Grief Feels Harder During Christmas

The absence of a Loved One can feel especially overwhelming at Christmas. While everyone else is celebrating, you may find yourself grieving. That’s okay. Here are three of the most common reasons why you might feel this way:

Your Loved One Won’t be Present During the Year’s Biggest Celebrations

The holidays are a time for families to come together as a group and spend time with one another. The absence of a Loved One during these joyful gatherings serves as a painful reminder of their death. Whether they’ve been gone for a year or ten, the hole they leave behind can always be felt.

Seeing Other People with Their Families is Difficult When You’re Missing Yours

The sight of others enjoying the holidays with their families can intensify feelings of loneliness and longing for your own lost Loved One. It may not feel fair that other families get to be happy and whole while your world has forever shifted. It’s normal for this to make you feel jealous and wish your Loved One was still around so you could be sharing your own joyous times together.

Your Favorite Traditions May Have to Change

Familiar traditions that once filled the season may now bring sadness as they remind you of the way things used to be before your Loved One died. You may miss having Grandma’s pumpkin pie or watching a favorite Christmas movie with your dad. Losing these traditions may feel like you are now grieving their loss, as well as the loss of your Loved One.

How to Feel Better if You’re Grieving at Christmas

Now that you understand why your grief feels heavier during the holidays, you may want to start thinking about ways you can lessen the pain and start to heal. To help you begin this journey, here are four ideas for how to feel better:

Create a Memorial That Helps You Feel Close to Them

Honoring your Loved One's memory can provide comfort during the holiday season. Consider creating a memorial such as hanging a special Ornament that reminds you of them on your tree, lighting a candle, displaying photos, or making their favorite dish.

Unplug from Social Media

Scrolling through social media during the holidays can be difficult as it exposes you to an abundance of pictures of happy families, which might exacerbate feelings of isolation. Give yourself a break by deleting the apps from your phone for a few days around Christmas.

Make New Memories with Your Family

Even though your old traditions may not be the same, you can start new traditions that incorporate elements of your Loved One's memory. You can also get together with living family members and friends to create entirely new experiences that bring joy and comfort for all.

Talk to Someone Who Understands

There’s nothing wrong with reaching out to people when you’re feeling sad during the holidays. Seek support from friends, family, or a professional who understands and can provide a listening ear. You don’t have to be alone.

It’s Okay if You Don’t Want to Celebrate This Year

While the holiday season may never be the same after the loss of a Loved One, it's possible to find moments of peace and hope amidst the grief. Be kind to yourself and allow yourself to navigate the holiday season in a way that feels right for you—even if that means skipping out on celebrations.

Please know that we’re thinking of you and wishing you a holiday season full of warmth and comfort.