Grief And The Holidays

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

If it's a merry Christmas for you, please take a moment to nforward this, or print it off the article and give to a friend nor family member in need.

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

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 andn don't beat yourself up for not having the Christmas youn think you "ought" to have.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12. BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF - Practice the love towardsn 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 nemotional energy than most. Remember, grieving is nature's way nof healing mind, body and spirit. Allow yourself access to ngrief, while your wounds heal. You'll be up and running again nwhen it's time.

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

Publishing Guidelines: You have permission to publish this narticle electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as nthe resource box is included with a live link to my site. A ncourtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.n
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Title: GRIEF AND THE HOLIDAYS
Author: Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW
Email: mailto:editor@overcoming-depression.comncopyright: by Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW
Web Address: http://www.Overcoming-Depression.comnWord Count: 422
Category: Coping With Grief And The Holidaysn