Surviving The Holidays

December, 2012

  1. Remember the true reason for the season and its spiritual significance.
  2. Take care of yourself. It’s imperative that we have a sense of preparedness as to not fall prey to our own potential triggers.
  3. We’ve learned about addiction and its challenges. As our loved ones fight their addiction, we need to fight our anxieties.
  4. Stay focused on your own well being.
  5. Let go of resentments. The recovering addict feels worse, especially with guilt.
  6. Don’t hold expectations too high. Learn to manage them and don’t set yourself up for disaster. Remember the old adage: “Expect nothing and you won’t be disappointed!” Expectations are only premeditated resentments.
  7. Let everyone be responsible for his/her own actions.
  8. Your other immediate family members deserve to have good memories during the holidays. In the spirit of giving, focus on helping them and others.
  9. Support the recovering addict, but don’t be a helicopter…hovering around adds stress.
  10. Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries. Keep it simple and doable.
  11. Find healthy ways to celebrate. Make new memories.
  12. Don’t isolate. Call a Bridge to Hope member. (Pain shared is pain lessened.)
  13. Remember that “No” is a complete sentence.
  14. Worrying won’t stop if

    you think it serves you. It’s never useful and only handicaps and diminishes us. Recognize that your worry is your fear.

  • Shift your focus.
  • Write down your worries.
  • Schedule specific time in your day to worry…your brain will thank you.

 

Bridge to Hope is a support organization only and does not offer medical or psychological advice and is an outreach program the Passavant Hospital Foundation. Web design by Creative Courtney.

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