As joyful a time as the holiday season is, grief doesn’t take a break for it. Hannah Stonehouse Hudson, a grief educator, shared a few ways to understand, cope with, and work through it this time of year.

• Remove self-judgment: Key to getting through anniversaries or big days is accepting that you might not have good days, but you can be open to good days. It’s OK to be joyful and sad at the same time.
• Grieve lost traditions: Feelings of loss are normal, and it’s healthy to wish a loved one was still around to experience things or be at an event.
• If you don’t want to be somewhere, don’t go: Stonehouse Hudson says if you don’t want to be somewhere, you don’t need to be there.
• Have a self care plan: This includes drinking water, eating healthy snacks, doing some deep breathing, and simply taking time for yourself.

Stonehouse Hudson is a widow, breast cancer survivor, and chronic illness “warrior.” She can be contacted through her website.