10 Helpful Tips On How To Cope With Grief While Entering A New Year

Everyone grieves differently. Some people grieve in solidarity while others prefer the comfort of others. Similarly, some people grieve only for a short time while others need longer. There is no right or wrong way to grieve the loss of a loved one. We all cope with grief in different ways and may need more or less time than others.

This New Year, resolve to not place limits on your grief. Allow yourself the time and space you need to heal. Don’t take suggestions or criticism from others unless it is constructive to your wellbeing. Your grief journey is your own, thus you should experience it the way you see fit.

Your grief may be yours alone to bear. Not everyone had the same relationship to the deceased that you had. Their death may affect you more than others in your family or social circle. While your friends and family may want to be there for you, they might not be able to relate to how you’re feeling.

There may be times when you feel lonely or frustrated for this reason. Resolve to accept that others might not understand your pain and that’s okay. Your pain is still valid even if it’s not understood.

Those who love and support you during your dark times are the most precious people in your life. These people want the best for you and are willing to put your needs above their own. Understand that while you are the one grieving, your grief can be hard on your friends and family as well.

Resolve to be more appreciative of your close friends and loved ones this year. These are the people who have stuck by your side and are there when you call. Show them your appreciation by reminding them how much you care for them and are appreciative of their love.

Resolve to keep your loved one’s memory alive by speaking about them often. Share the stories you have of your loved one with anyone willing to listen.

Speaking about the good times you shared with your loved one can help you feel closer to them. Reliving these positive memories will uplift your mood and remind you of the joy your loved one brought to your life.

Grieving is hard for everyone, even superheroes. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it. You’re not expected to do this alone, there are others who are willing and able to help you through this hard time.

Resolve to ask for help when you need it without feeling like a burden. Your friends and family want to be there for you, so let them.

Resolve to find a way to move forward a little each day. Though you are grieving your loved one, remember that you are still living. You must find a way to continue without them.

Find one small way to move forward each day, even if it’s something as simple as making your bed, listening to a happy song, or redecorating your house. Moving forward will help you overcome your grief and return to living a normal life.

Take each day as it comes and focus on getting a little better each day. Don’t worry about making typical New Year’s resolutions for self-improvement. All you should be focused on right now is taking care of your needs.

Remember that you are still alive and there is life to be lived. Moving on is inevitable if you want to continue leading a happy life. Your loved one would certainly want you to continue without them. Remind yourself that it’s okay to move on. Moving on doesn't mean forgetting your loved ones or leaving them behind.

Facing the New Year alone may feel daunting. There are holidays, birthdays, and yearly events that will feel different this year without your loved one. It can be scary to think of going through these yearly events by yourself. Ease your fears by planning ahead.

Meditation for grief is a helpful tool for those who are suffering from depression or anxiety after their loss. Consider joining a meditation group or listen to guided meditations online or from a streaming app. A few minutes a day can make a big impact on your mental health.

A grief support group can be a great source of comfort when you are experiencing loss during the New Year. Grief support groups introduce you to other people who are coping with their own loss. You may find it comforting to be around others who understand what you are going through.

Being around people you love and care for has many mental health benefits. It can help you take your mind off your grief and improve your mood and relationships. Make a point to see your friends and family often during the start of the New Year.

Finding a new hobby can be a great outlet for difficult emotions following your New Year’s loss. Participating in a new activity or learning a new skill allows you to focus on something other than your daily reality. It allows you to work on your self-development, while also enjoying your time.

Something as simple as going for a brisk walk or riding your bike can help ease your anxiety and put you in a better state of mind. Starting an exercise routine in the New Year does not need to be about improving your looks. Exercise is good for the mind and body and can be beneficial to you when coping with grief during the holidays.

If your loved one passed before fulfilling something important to them, consider making it your mission to carry out their wishes. For example, if your loved one dreamed of going to Paris and looking out from the top of the Eiffel Tower, pack your bags and make the trip for them.

You could also carry on their legacy by contributing to a cause they were passionate about. Donate in their name or volunteer with a cause or charity foundation they were involved with. It may help you to feel closer to your loved one knowing you’re continuing the work they would have done.

Pull out old photographs or print out digital photos of your loved one throughout their life and decorate your party with them. You can place them in photo books for people to view, hang them on the wall, or leave them scattered around the party room in places guests can look at them at their leisure.

Incorporate your loved one’s favorites into the theme of the party to truly feel connected to them. Decorate the room in a color scheme of their favorite colors, prints, or patterns. Serve some of their favorite foods and drinks. Play their favorite recording artist or type of music. Fill the room with their personality and essence so it can be a true celebration of their life.

Make a point during the party to ask guests to share their favorite memory of your loved one. Go around in a circle and ask everyone to contribute something that they remember about the deceased. It can be a funny story, something the deceased used to always say, or even an accomplishment they achieved.

While you are celebrating the passing of your loved one and their journey to the next realm, celebrate the new life you will be embarking on as well. Both of you will be moving forward, just on different planes of existence. Your loved one is now journeying on by themselves in the spirit realm while you must navigate this world.

Though change is scary, it’s also a chance for new experiences. Embrace the new changes and celebrate them. The future is unknown and may be scary, but it can also be full of wonderful surprises. Accept that your life will be different this year and resolve to do the best you can.

Instead of toasting with champagne at midnight, consider releasing paper lanterns into the sky (or do both!). Give each guest a paper lantern and a marker or pen to write with. They can write something about the deceased on the lantern such as a favorite memory or inside joke. At midnight you and your guests can release your lanterns as a final farewell to your loved one on their journey to the spirit realm.

There are plenty of books written by grief counselors, medical professionals, and authors with firsthand experience dealing with grief. Many books on grief can give you insight on how you are feeling, how you should expect to feel, and the best methods for coping.

• Tarabrach.com/grief - Resources for grief support including online reading material and links to grief talks and courses.
• Vitas.com - Virtual and online grief support groups.
• What’s Your Grief? - Grief blog and other online resources for the bereaved.
• Griefstories.org - A place to share your story of grief with other grievers.
• lostmypartnerblog.org - A blog for those who have lost their spouse.

A trained professional such as a grief therapist or counselor can help you unpack your feelings and give you strategies for coping with your grief. Grief therapists may have better insight and understanding of your feelings than friends or loved ones because they help grieving people every day.

Talking with a therapist is an excellent way to unload your feelings. A therapist’s job is to listen. You can speak freely without worry you are burdening them with your pain. Therapy is effective for many people coping with grief during the New Year holiday and every day.

If your grief has begun to affect your quality of life, work, or relationships, you should consider seeing your doctor. Grief can cause depression and other mental health issues in some people. Severe mental health illness can negatively impact your life if not addressed. Your doctor or psychiatrist may be able to prescribe you medication that will help you feel more like yourself.

Purchasing keepsakes for remembrance can help you feel closer to your loved one during the holidays and the New Year. Remembrance jewelry is a unique way to honor your loved one after their passing. It is a reminder to yourself that you are not forgetting them but holding them close to your heart.

Headspace

Headspace is a meditation app where you can stream meditations for grief and more. Their website also has more information and resources for grief sufferers. The platform is not free to use but they do offer a free trial to start. The link above includes a free sample meditation for grief you can listen to on your cellphone or laptop.

Mindfulness and Grief Institute

The Mindfulness and Grief Institute website offers resources for grief sufferers as well as several guided meditations. The meditations are free to listen to and are 20 minutes in length at most.

Guided Meditation Apps

Guided meditation apps are ideal for beginners who are unsure how to meditate on their own. Guided meditations will guide you, step by step, through the breathing and calming process needed to make meditation most effective. There are free meditation apps as well as those that require a subscription.

YouTube.com

YouTube.com is a great resource for guided meditations. A quick search on YouTube for “meditations for grief” will pull up multiple guided grief meditations you can listen to for free.

Grief Retreats

Grief retreats are trips planned around support and healing for those who are grieving. Grief retreats take place all over the world at all times of the year. Typically, they involve a select number of people who are hosted in a hotel or resort. The grief retreat planners typically host events, group therapy sessions, or group activities for group members to participate in.

Grief retreats are a wonderful way for grievers to get out of the house, experience something new, and be around a support group of people who understand how they are feeling.