If this is the first holiday season without your loved one, you may be engulfed by a tidal wave of emotion. When you grieve at the holidays, your heart is particularly attuned to the sadness of loss and pain. If you are tearful or depressed, your heartfelt tears may cue your family members to express their emotions as well. Worry about crying is a hardship of grief compounded by the holidays. When you release your tears, you experience physical and emotional relief, a welcome catharsis to your grief.