Mindful Holidays: Navigating Grief with Compassion and Presence – a Chance to Help Yourself Through the Holiday Season

by Chaplain Julia Rajtar, MAPS, BCC

How do I manage, survive, or “get through” the holidays after my special person has died? If you are asking yourself this question, consider watching this Zoom webinar, Mindful Holidays: Navigating Grief with Compassion and Presence with Heather Stang, MA, C-IAYT. Bakken-Young hosted this meaningful holiday preparation webinar for those living with loss. How do you navigate the holidays while grieving?

Heather guided us through her Winter Holiday Planner and offered us some grounding techniques.  She described the difference between coping skills and self-care practices. Heather taught us some grounding techniques, reminding us that breath exercises can be challenging while grieving because breath ties to our nervous system. Paying attention to breathing can be calming for some while for others, it heightens us, so we were encouraged to honor what’s true for each of us as we engage in breath work.

The goal of the holiday planner is to help us feel a little more empowered in a season where we feel powerless.  “Creating the planner won’t give us the Hallmark holiday we hope for, yet it can help us find some peace in this special season,” Heather Stang.

For a copy of Heather’s Winter Holiday Planner, email Julia@Bakken-Young.com and the resource will be emailed to you.