Holidays are an incredibly hard time of year for people who are grieving. You can grieve in healthy ways during the holidays. The question is do you know how? Take this quiz to find out. The correct answers will be given so you can learn as you go. But remember, there is no one right way to grieve, and our answers may not be right for you.
1. Friends and relatives are asking you to the holiday parties and get togethers. If you are tired and don't feel up to the social scene what do you tell them?
You lie, put a smile on your face and say "Sure"? You say yes but then cancel at the last minute. You say, "No thank you, I appreciate the offer but I will pass this year" You avoid friends so they don't ask
2. Old traditions can bring comfort but they can also bring pain. What should you do with the traditions?
Keep all of them because they are traditions. Decide which ones to keep and which ones to let go of this year. Get rid of them because they are now about your past. Avoid making any decison about it whatsoever.
3. If you have a Christmas tree or other holiday symbol should you put it up? What about the tree decorations?
It is a holiday of course you put it up. Take a family vote and put it up or down depending on the family's wishes. Why put it up? It means nothing to me. Only put them up if the specified mourning period is past.
4. Which of the following are healthy actives to do while grieving during the holiday?
Drinking alcoholic beverages to excess, because who cares? Overloading on holiday sweets, it will help you feel better. Eating food that isn't high in sugar, sleeping normally, and drinking plenty of water.
5. What do you do when you start crying at a holiday function?
Find a quiet place and let yourself cry. There is nothing to apologize for and it actually can make you feel better. Duck your head in shame and run away from people. Wish the ground would open up and swallow you whole. Don't go to holiday functions, you will only depress people.
6. Family and friends do not always know how to tell each other what they are feeling or need while grieving. You should...
Ask for help when you need and try to be as specific as possible. Have a family meeting and talk about what each person needs and the family as a whole. Try to be gentle with yourself and family members during this time. All of the above
7. True or false? Often at the holidays, old losses resurface, and the grief feels fresh again.
True False
8. How do you help your friend is grieving?
Wait for them to call so as not to intrude. Call them and hint about helping them, hoping they respond. Call your friend and give them a specific list of how you can help them this holiday season. Avoid your friend- anything you say will only make it worse.
9. You are tired, hurting, yet you feel like you owe it to the kids to have a good Holiday. What do you do?
Tell them that there will be no celebration this year, and try to ignore the holidays. Choose some holiday traditions to do like baking cookies and setting up the tree. Start some new holiday traditions that aren't so painful. Ignore your feelings- after all the holidays are for children. B and C
10. Holidays should get better as time goes on. True or false?
