A Survivors Road To Healing- Helping Survivors of Suicide!

Winter 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."


ASurvivorsRoadToHealing.com
Home Articles Archives BOOKS		Grieving During the Holidays "Control your grief or it will control you." On Thanksgiving and Christmas schedule your cry time (I call it healing time) for 15 - 20 minutes in the morning and then again in the evening for 30 minutes. That way you can survive the day because you know you have your "me time" coming later. It helps you to cope with the day much better. (This site is still under construction. Please come back in a couple days. We'll be adding a lot of articles and resources for survivors.)	Great Websites Suicide Survivor Books Survivors Road2healing The Dougy Center Reclaiming Life Coach	Winter 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
			Memorial Websites Robby Wirick Mark Slade Mark Striker Craig Cartwright Cory Hofmaster Robin Hamilton Cheryl Ann Stacy Hobbs Todd Lefever Michael Sterling James Feeney William Morton Robert Reincke Chris Kennedy Joey Watman
			AUDIO BOOK for Suicide Survivors A Support Group in book form- it's 'a must read' for survivors of suicide! More Infomation
	Email me: louise [at] asurvivorsroadtohealing.com © Louise Wirick 2007- No part of this website may be republished or reproduced in any form without written permission.

ASurvivorsRoadToHealing.com