At Rundus, we know how difficult it can be to grieve a significant loss during the holiday season. When you’re missing someone special, and everyone is celebrating with loved ones, it can leave you feeling even more isolated and lonely. Inspired by the 12 days of Christmas, we put together this guide to help families in Broomfield navigate the complexities of grief.

Day 1: Prioritize rest.

It’s easy to neglect self-care when you’re grieving. Do your best to stay on a regular sleep schedule, and if you can, carve out extra time throughout the day for naps.

Day 2: Eat healthy food.

When you can, try fueling up with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. You may be craving comfort foods to soothe your sadness, but many of these contain saturated fats and too much salt.

Day 3: Clear your calendar.

For those days and weeks you’re feeling overwhelmed with grief, try to keep your schedule as light as possible. Now’s not the time to start that home repair or take a cross-country trip. If you can, stay at home and rest until you feel ready to take on more responsibilities.

Day 4: Journal.

Writing down all the emotions and thoughts passing through your body and brain can be a great reminder to let your feelings happen, however painful they may be. Remember that a grief journal can be whatever you want it to be and can even change from day to day as your grief does.

Day 5: Lean on family and friends.

You may be tempted to isolate yourself from friends and family when you’re grieving but leaning on the people we love during a tough time can assuage heavy emotions and negative thoughts.

Day 6: Get outside.

Fresh air can help you feel more energized, so make it a priority to get outside every day, even if it’s just for ten minutes. Winter temps can make this tough, so be sure you’re wearing warm clothing.

Day 7: Move your body.

Whether it’s indoors or out, try to get at least a half hour of physical activity most days of the week. Exercise has been shown to improve mood, sleep, and overall well-being.

Day 8: Listen to music.

If you’re feeling anxious or depressed, music can have a soothing effect. Play your favorite tunes or those that remind you of your loved one and sing, dance, or cry your heart out.

Day 9: Read all about it.

Once you’ve moved past the initial stages of grief, you may feel ready to focus on helpful written materials about grief. Check out grief-focused books from your local library or buy them from a bookstore for new insights on the topic.

Day 10: Pick up a new hobby.

Learning something new can have a host of positive effects. Picking up a new hobby can help you feel more confident and may even improve your mood and outlook on life.

Day 11: Join a grief support group.

Surrounding yourself with people going through a similar experience to yours can help you feel less alone and more confident about the future. Start searching now for local in-person grief support groups or online support groups to join.

Day 12: Share memories of your loved one.

Whether you talk with loved ones about the special person you miss, sift through favorite photos, or write down treasured memories of them, reminiscing about the loved one who has died can help you feel closer to them and more at peace with your grief.

Contact us to learn more about our grief recovery resources and how our compassionate staff members can help you move through the grieving process.