Grief And The Holidays

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Title: GRIEF AND THE HOLIDAYS
Author: Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW
Email: mailto:editor@overcoming-depression.com
copyright: by Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW
Web Address: http://www.Overcoming-Depression.com
Word Count: 422
Category: Coping With Grief And The Holidays

GRIEF AND THE HOLIDAYS

The holidays bring grief to an all new height for those who are
suffering from losses or struggle with depression, anxiety,
chronic illness or other such disorders. This newsletter is for
those who suffer and for those who love them.

If it's a merry Christmas for you, please take a moment to
forward this, or print it off the article and give to a friend
or family member in need.

This will be an action-based holiday survival guide. Let's
begin...

1. PLAN AHEAD - Don't allow the holidays to simply happen.
Plan ahead for the best outcome.

2. PERFORM AT YOUR ABILITY - Accept your limitations and
don't beat yourself up for not having the Christmas you
think you "ought" to have.

3. CUT OUT OR CREATE NEW RITUALS - If specific rituals are
too painful, leave them out this year. Add a new holiday
ritual.

4. ASK FOR HELP - Reach out to others for help shopping,
cooking, wrapping etc.

5. VOCALIZE YOUR NEEDS - Tell folks you're struggling. Be
specific about how they can help.

6. BE HUMAN - You may assume things will be fine, and
suddenly a song brings back memories... then pain. Feel
the pain. Tears are an honest expression of love and
sadness. It's okay. It's also okay to shift plans in
the moment if needed.

7. MEMORIALIZE YOUR LOVED ONE - Make a donation to a charity
in honor of your loved one who has died. If you're
depressed, make a donation to mental health research
through NAMI.

8. TALK ABOUT THE DECEASED - It's healthy and normal to tell
stories about the deceased.

9. KEEP GOOD COMPANY - Choose to be around folks you feel
safe and comfortable with during the holiday season.

10. BE WARY OF QUICK FIXES - Folks who hurt are particularly
vulnerable during the holidays. Watch out for alcohol
and drug abuse, over-spending etc.

11. PRACTICE GUIDE - Make a list of all the gifts your loved
one brought to the world. Keep these close by. Or make
a list of all things you're grateful for in your life.

12. BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF - Practice the love towards
yourself that Christ taught us.

Please allow for your humanness, for fluctuations in your mood.
If you are suffering, you're working with much less physical and
emotional energy than most. Remember, grieving is nature's way
of healing mind, body and spirit. Allow yourself access to
grief, while your wounds heal. You'll be up and running again
when it's time.

May God's healing arms wrap you up throughout the holidays.