Grief During the Holidays

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving with your family, food, laughter, and overall a great time to spend together. Around this time, joy can turn into sorrow. Unexpected changes of events can occur in your family when you least expect them.

So, how do you cope with this? If you’re comfortable, let’s go deeper.

Grief is an extremely hard subject to cover, it is not always easy to talk about. When you lose a loved one to any kind of tragedy, it can be a life-changing experience. So how do we deal with it?

First, separate yourself to deal with your emotions. But don’t isolate for too long. When a death occurs, there is a lot of weeping, numbness, and self-blame. Before going back to your daily routine, take some time out to care for yourself.  There is nothing wrong with remembering the good times. Looking back on the good memories reduces the pain of losing someone. It puts a big smile on your face. When you’re mourning, take it day by day because God always says that he is close to the brokenhearted. In the Bible, Philippians 4:6 states “And the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” This means that even though you feel alone during this difficult time, there is a higher power watching over you and protecting you.

Second, be kind to yourself. At this time, grief can come in waves and it doesn’t discriminate. It is okay to mourn the person you loved so deeply and you deserve to take as much time as you want to heal this broken heart. If you can, try to write down your feelings and thoughts. It can be a poem, journal entry, or song that defines your expression and doesn’t let your pain be imprisoned for too long.

Lastly, seek a grief professional. It is very crucial to have a therapist when you’re falling apart. This does not show that you are weak. In fact, it is a sign of strength. Learn to see this as a powerful stepping stone for self-care. You should not let anything hold you back from receiving the support you need. Taking this step means that you are on a healthy path. You’re doing great and I am proud of you. I hope this blog was helpful to you and easy to read during your grieving process. I wish the best for you and I fully support you! God bless you and take good care of yourself.

In Your Wellness,

Briana Ricks, BA Intern Stockton University

Angela R Clack, PsyD LPC, Practice CEO, ACS

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