A Survivors Road To Healing- Helping Survivors of Suicide!

Winter Blues and the Holidays

As the cold moves in and the holidays get into full swing, the void feels so much bigger. Are you struggling with making plans, and wonder how you'll get through this season? Are you overwhelmed and feel like it isn't do-able? Let me help you.

HELP FOR THE HOLIDAYS

1. Write down your fears about the holidays so you know what they are ahead of time and can work through them.

2. Plan ahead. Give yourself permission to only do those things you can do, yet don't allow yourself to be isolated and sink into depression

3. Break it down into a series of small events instead of an endless stream of painful things that overwhelm you. You can handle one event at a time.

4. Decide how you can alter family traditions so they are do-able. Or start all over with your own traditions. Keep in mind that children need some traditions to continue. It will give them a security and a sense of "normalcy".

5. Keep holiday planning and celebrations as simple as possible. Don't over-do or push yourself beyond your limits. Shop early or by mail order or internet if you want to avoid the holiday crowds.

6. Include your loved one in the day by sharing positive memories. Talk about your feelings; it's OK to cry or laugh. Don't hide behind "the mask."

7. Try a change in traditions, such as a trip that everyone agrees to, or bowling, a movie, a museum, minature golf, etc.

8. Remember that you can help others most by taking care of you. Do (or buy) something nice for yourself, or treat yourself to something you like. Be kind to you. You deserve it!

9. Give of yourself this holiday season by visiting nursing homes or helping in a 'soup kitchen'. Healing comes from doing for others.

10. Prepare ahead of time how you will respond to cheerful people this holiday season. When you hear "Happy Holidays!" you may want to say, "Thanks, happy holidays to you" or just "Thanks."


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Home Articles Archives BOOKS		I'm a Suicide Survivor On November 16, 1998 my only son took his own life, and forever changed the lives of those that love him. Surviving that first year felt so overwhelming and at times impossible. I cried a river of tears as I took that walk through hell ... but I survived it. Now let me help you. Reclaiming your life is not impossible. More WARNING TO SURVIVORS Click Here My Teen Won't Talk About It Over the years so many concerned parents have questioned me about how to help their teens. Do you force them into counseling? Do you insist they talk about it? What do you do to help them? More My Daily Drive Time is So Hard... Survivors often struggle with the time spent in their vehicles everyday. So many women say that drive time is when they cry the most. Instead of time spent alone in pain, let me help you turn your commute time into a time of healing. This audio book will walk you through the issues you struggle with as a survivor and offer you ways to cope and work through it. (4 hours of audio) More... What Do I tell The Children?? Are you at a loss for what to tell the children and how to anwser their questions? Let's talk about it ... To see book referrals for survivors of all ages- from play therapy and story books for the very young, to books for young adults and adults, see the book link. It will also refer books for caregivers that are helping children of all ages. Books Help With Graphic Images Does 'the movie' play over and over and over in your head non-stop? Are you having nightmares and 'day-mares' and feel like you're losing your mind? More I Wasn't There For Him (Her) ... One of the irrational thoughts many of us have after a suicide is that we "weren't there" for them. Let's think about that. Did he know your phone number? Know where you live and work? Did he know how to contact you? Of course he did. But he chose not to. We were available for them, and we would have done everything in our power to stop this sucide if we had an opportunity to. We cannot follow anyone around 24/7 to 'be there' for them. Had we known then what we know now, every one of us would have been there, even if they didn't want us to be. Please be kind to you.	Great Websites Suicide Survivor Books Survivors Road2healing The Dougy Center Reclaiming Life Coach AUDIO BOOK for Suicide Survivors A Support Group in book form- it's 'a must read' for survivors of suicide! More Infomation	Winter Blues and the Holidays As the cold moves in and the holidays get into full swing, the void feels so much bigger. Are you struggling with making plans, and wonder how you'll get through this season? Are you overwhelmed and feel like it isn't do-able? Let me help you. HELP FOR THE HOLIDAYS 1. Write down your fears about the holidays so you know what they are ahead of time and can work through them. 2. Plan ahead. Give yourself permission to only do those things you can do, yet don't allow yourself to be isolated and sink into depression 3. Break it down into a series of small events instead of an endless stream of painful things that overwhelm you. You can handle one event at a time. 4. Decide how you can alter family traditions so they are do-able. Or start all over with your own traditions. Keep in mind that children need some traditions to continue. It will give them a security and a sense of "normalcy". 5. Keep holiday planning and celebrations as simple as possible. Don't over-do or push yourself beyond your limits. Shop early or by mail order or internet if you want to avoid the holiday crowds. 6. Include your loved one in the day by sharing positive memories. Talk about your feelings; it's OK to cry or laugh. Don't hide behind "the mask." 7. Try a change in traditions, such as a trip that everyone agrees to, or bowling, a movie, a museum, minature golf, etc. 8. Remember that you can help others most by taking care of you. Do (or buy) something nice for yourself, or treat yourself to something you like. Be kind to you. You deserve it! 9. Give of yourself this holiday season by visiting nursing homes or helping in a 'soup kitchen'. Healing comes from doing for others. 10. Prepare ahead of time how you will respond to cheerful people this holiday season. When you hear "Happy Holidays!" you may want to say, "Thanks, happy holidays to you" or just "Thanks." For more articles to help you plan and prepare for the holidays, and ideas to make it all less painful, click here: Holidays
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