Surviving Holidays, Birthday & Anniversaries: A Guide for Grieving During Special Occasions (Grief Steps Guide)

Rating:
Summary: Comfort for a grieving reader
Review: Holidays, Christmas, birthdays, family gatherings--they will never be the same again. Having lost my 27 year old son, my "family occasions" have been changed forever. Brook Noel brings sensitivity and positive ideas to this agonizing fact. I'm glad I have this book to comfort and to guide me and my family.

Rating:
Summary: A guide for anyone struggling with memories of a loved one
Review: Surviving Holidays, Birthdays & Anniversaries: A Guide For Grieving During Special Occasions is a simple bereavement guide, written by expert and creator of the www.griefsteps.com program Brook Noel, that especially focuses on coping with the particular challenges brought by special occassions. Holidays are normally a time of good cheer and laughter, but those experiencing profound grief or the loss of a loved one are beset by the opposite of these emotions, often at a magnified effect. Chapters offer advice on what to expect in plain and simple terms, such as learning to avoid additional stressors during the holiday season, never try to outspend grief, shop online, don't hide from life, beware of self-medicating, and more. Suggested strategies for coping include taking a moment of silence when needed, freewriting, taking a time out, specific exercises to calm oneself, and more. A strongly recommended guide for anyone struggling with memories of a loved one at difficult times.