Grounding During Holiday Grief

If you're on your journey in grief, or supporting someone in the middle of theirs, chances are you know that falling into a spiral of grief can be a quick turn of emotions. You could be laughing and bouncing through any given day, hear a song, smell a scent, or see a picture and feel totally swept into your grief at the drop of a hat. Grounding during holiday grief can look different for everyone, but is important to explore for yourself and what it means to you.

The holiday season can be especially triggering with a change of routine, added socializing and heightened events, higher emotions, and bigger expectations. As you continue through these next few weeks, channel some energy into preparing yourself. Ask, if I could tell myself one kind, grounding thought: what would it be?

For some, it may be something like "these feelings will pass," to remember the feelings you're wading through are temporary. For others, it may be listening to a song or getting out of the environment that triggered you. It could be "rest, don't quit." Giving yourself permission to pause, reflect, and distract are key elements to guiding yourself to comfort and solace after your bout of grief.

Create a mantra, find a quote, rely on a routine. Setting these words in your view - a phone screen background, a post it note on the fridge, a note on the counter, a canvas on the wall - any opportunity to see them is an opportunity to help yourself when you need it most, and rely on yourself in your darkest moments. Find more tools here.

You, your loved one, and your grief are not forgotten.

Read More