HELPFUL HINTS
FOR
SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS
CLAIM LIMITS
Grief is very energy consuming. You are tired for much of your day. The holidays put additional demands on your already lowered energy! Reduce your expectations of what you must do. Claim your right to respect your physical and emotional limits, even if that means you have to disappoint others’ expectations!
TRIM DOWN TO ESSENTIALS
Serve notice to family & friends that traditions may be different this year. Pick social & family commitments to suit your available energy. Change aspects of traditional activities to diminish stress. Your circumstances have changed dramatically so trim plans to accommodate this change!
ASK FOR & ACCEPT HELP
Accept offers for assistance with holiday shopping, cooking, decorating, etc. Others are looking for ways to lessen the burden this time of year brings you. Let your needs be known and don’t hesitate to change your mind as those needs change from day-to-day and sometimes, moment-to-moment!
TAKE TIME FOR YOU
Allow time out for yourself to accommodate the mood swings that especially come with the holidays. It is healthy to talk about how you’re feeling with family, friends, your pastor or rabbi and a grief counselor. Remember, the passage of time alone doesn’t heal grief. Grieving is how we heal and this includes talking to trusted individuals!
BE FLEXIBLE
Learn to ‘play it by ear.’ You are walking through this place in life for the first time and you know what is best for you better than anyone else! Accept the daily differences in your life of how you feel, both physically and emotionally, as you walk this unknown territory. Take each moment as it comes. Don’t dwell on the future right now.
TAKE TIME FOR ALL THINGS S-P-I-R-I-T-U-A-L
Whatever your religious beliefs, it is important to practice those beliefs as they relate to the holidays. Even if your not feeling anything spiritual, just do it! Faith in God’s abiding love is an act of mind over waffling feelings that are often more about confusion, disappointment and anger, than faith in Devine Providence.
DO FOR OTHERS TOO
Supporting other men & women who can use a helping hand will do wonders for your own spirit! Volunteering to help others takes us outside of ourselves, our needs and our problems. Spending a holiday feeding the hungry or bringing joy to children in need can be more energizing than doing the same for family. It will surprise you how much it lifts your spirits and brings comfort!
STAY HEALTHY
Because of the stress of the holidays, it is very important to eat healthy and not over indulge yourself because it makes you feel momentarily better! It is also important that you get enough rest, both in terms of sleep and restful times during the day. Lastly, getting some form of exercise is necessary. A daily walk will do wonders to ward off depression!
GOD WILL WALK WITH YOU THRU THE HOLIDAY,
HELPING YOU SURVIVE THEM,
IF YOU’LL ONLY ASK!