10/05/2023
The holidays are a part of the year that many experience the feelings of grief. If you are experiencing grief during the holidays, know that you are not alone.
Research suggests that many people cope with loss through a “push-pull” type of grieving—we engage in activities that have a loss-oriented focus and those that have a restoration-oriented focus (Bendaña, 2017; Stroebe & Schut, 1999).
Loss-oriented activities include: looking at photo of the person you're mourning, seeking out reminders of your loved one like going to places you went together or watching movies you enjoyed together. When dealing with the heartbreak related to a relationship break-up, you may find yourself listening to music that reminds you of your ex, looking at social media posts of you and your ex, or current posts of your ex that do not include you.
We may find ourselves balancing these loss-focused activities with restoration-orientation behaviors. These can be busy-work activities, such as: cleaning the house, washing the dishes, or garden work.
⭐️Tips to cope with your own grief:⭐️
- don't isolate from others; stay connected
- talk it out, share your feelings with others who care about you
- don't pretend your feelings don't matter, allow yourself space to acknowledge your loss
- don't turn to unhealthy self-soothing behaviors such as alcohol, overeating, or other risky behavior; instead seek professional help from a therapist.
💫 For more information on grief and how to get through the holidays while grieving, sign up for our FREE Navigating Grief workshop on Nov 8th! Link in bio or DM for details.
