Coping With Grief During the Holidays: Gentle Ways to Take Care of Yourself This Season

The holiday season is often painted as  “the most wonderful time of the year” – a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. But if you’re grieving, it can feel like the exact opposite. Lights and music start appearing everywhere. Families gather. Traditions resurface. And suddenly, the absence of someone you love feels even heavier than it did the month before. You’re not alone if the holidays bring a mix of longing, sadness, overwhelm, or guilt for not feeling festive.