The grieving process is incredibly personal and unique to each individual. Your time experiencing symptoms of grief will depend on many factors. Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to grieve and you are entitled to take as much time to process and heal as you need. In general, grief will come in waves meaning one day you may feel fine, or numb, or completely destroyed, and that's okay. The holidays may bring up strong feelings of grief and pain for many individuals as it tends to be a time to focus on family and togetherness. This can feel excruciating and may cause symptoms of anxiety and depression as the holidays approach.

Sometimes asking for help can feel deflating especially if you were the one who threw holiday parties or tended to cook. Prioritize taking care of yourself and think about whether it is the emotionally healthiest choice to go through with prior to agreeing to take anything major on. If you end up feeling like you need some time for yourself and don't want to or are unable to do what you planned on doing, reach out to loved ones for help. Chances are your friends and family members will understand and know that it is okay to put your mental health first.

You can create a new special tradition that encompasses your loved one's memory. This can be done by lighting a candle in his or her memory, by saying a poem, by buying a commemorative ornament or trinket to be placed on the tree or left out, by having each one around the dinner table share a short story, by looking at photo albums and reminiscing, or by visiting the cemetery and decorating the headstone.

If you're not quite up to your typical holiday traditions, think about starting new ones. You can give a donation or gift in memory of your loved one. You can invite a new guest to your dinner table. You can adopt a family in need. You can even just go to the movies for a change of pace during the holiday season. You can also travel, plan an at home vacation, or visit family members or friends who you don't get to see often.

Speaking with a counselor or therapist who specializes in grief can help you process your grief and better understand your unique process. This can be especially helpful during the holidays when emotions tend to run high. Chances are someone may comment or check in with you during a holiday party. It can be helpful to speak with a therapist beforehand to help you process what that might feel like and prepare you so you aren't caught off guard at an event. There are tons of options when it comes to finding the right therapist for you so take your time looking for the right fit.