by Marquetta Smith | Jan 20, 2023 | Counseling, Empowerment, Featured Post
I don’t know about you, but I am relieved when trash day comes around for my neighborhood every week. This is the day we gather up all the trash around the house, check every trash can, making sure we remember all waste and place it in the big trash can for pickup on Thursdays. We also say that this is the day we remove the clutter in our homes.
I remember one week when the sanitary workers didn’t come, boy; you could see all of the built-up stuff and trash people had. All the trash accumulated over two weeks, and our neighborhood looked like a dumping ground. Waste fell out of the piled-up trash cans where cats had gotten into them the night before, and of course, the wind blew several trash cans down during that week due to a storm we encountered. You get the picture.
How to Remove The Clutter In Your Life
You may ask yourself, why is this writer talking about trash? Today I had a spiritual trash day. Yep, you heard me right… “a spiritual trash day,” a day of spiritual releasing of soul issues. I sat with God, my daddy, and dumped out all my feelings of pain, disappointment, discouragement, sadness, anger, bitterness, jealousy, envy, hatred, and so on.
Wow! I had a lot of stuff to get rid of that was eating me up inside. It was all trash that needed to be discarded. It was literally weighing me down to the point that I could not think, sleep or function normally.
Psalm 34:18 encourages us to go to God if we have a broken heart, suffer disappointment, give up hope, lose all hope, and are crushed in spirit. One version of the Bible, CSB (Christian Standard Bible), says, The Lord is near the brokenhearted, he saves those crushed in spirit. The Contemporary English Version says The Lord is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope.
During this prayer time, I heard the words “Trash Day.” The Holy Spirit began to minister to me about Trash Day and how I allowed all of this trash inside of me to compile over time without discarding it. The trash of people’s words, negative things I have said about myself, what people thought of me, bad situations, trauma from past hurts, disappointments, and even dealing with year after year not seeing promises fulfilled in my life.
Getting Rid of the “Soul Trash”
He began to remind me about our Thursday trash day and how if we don’t get rid of our “soul” trash every week, it will build up and begin to smell, mold, decay, and much more.
Our souls are our minds, emotions, will, and how we think and feel. It is who we are as human beings. Our souls are not designed to carry a lot of stuff in them. Yet over time, we continue to allow ourselves to get bogged down in souls with “Trash.”
So today, I sat with my Heavenly Father and had what I like to call “Trash Day.” I gave God everything that bothered me, weighed me down, made me sad, and discouraged me. After releasing all that stuff, I felt lighter, encouraged, and ready to take on my day.
Everyone Needs a “Trash Day”
I want to encourage you today to remember to always take time to talk to the Father and have regular “Trash Days.” God never designed us to carry all of this stuff around. To the caregivers, the front lines, counselors, and Pastors, and all of the ones who give to others week after week, remember that you, too, need a “Trash Day.”
Sometimes we may even need someone to help us release past pain, trauma, and disappointment, like a therapist. It is no shame to release what hurts you with another trained individual. Go ahead and have a “Trash Day.”
Image by Ralph from Pixabay
Written by Marquetta Smith, CCC, MSSW and ED at Safe Harbor International Ministries. For more articles, check out our blog page: https://safeharborim.com/articles/.
by Marquetta Smith | Dec 18, 2022 | Family Life, Holidays, Mental health
The holidays are a stressful time for everyone. Adding to this stress is the fact that seasonal depression, family difficulties, and reminders of loss are also common around this time. Because of this, it can be especially important to maintain your mental health. Whether you need something as simple as a two-minute meditation, or a reminder to go back to therapy (seriously, everyone should go to therapy), below are ten great ways to stay mentally happy and healthy during the holiday season.
1. Go to Therapy:
The holidays are a time of increased business. There’s always shopping to do, parties to attend, and preparations to plan. It can be tempting to skip out on a therapy session or two, but, if possible, prioritize therapy sessions. If you aren’t able to get out for therapy during this busy season, online therapy is an option for those who want to attend counseling sessions from the comfort of their own homes. The holidays can be a stressful time for all of us, and a little extra therapy can be exactly what you need to keep the stress down. Click here to schedule your free consultation
2. Prayer and Meditation on the Word of God:
Whether you struggle with stress, depression, or grief around the holidays, paying and meditation on the word of God can be the key to healing and coping. According to recent statistics, the top reason people don’t meditate is that they don’t know how, they don’t believe it’s beneficial, or they don’t have enough time. [1] Among many other benefits, prayer and meditation has been proven to reduce stress, control anxiety, and to promote emotional health. If you can spend five minutes scrolling on your phone or watching T.V., you can spend those five minutes listening to prayers and scriptures on YouTube. The benefits are amazing!
3. Get some sun/warmth:
It’s common for seasonal depression to settle in around this time. Studies show that sunlight can boost serotonin levels and that without enough sun exposure, those levels can lower. [2] The cold weather can often prevent us from going outside and getting the sun we need. To cope with this, it’s essential to go outside when possible, get some sun, and to (safely! Mind the UVs) soak in as much light as you can. If you have a seasonal affective disorder that is especially severe for you, you might talk to your doctor about getting a light box. Keep in mind that light therapy should typically be combined with counseling and other treatments.
4. Let family grudges go:
The holidays are a time to reconnect with family members. However, for many, it can often be a time of bringing up old relationship quarrels and family disputes. To avoid this, here are a few things to remind yourself:
It’s okay to set boundaries:
- You’re allowed to say no
- It’s okay to maintain an emotional distance
- You should limit your time with toxic family members
- People may not change – and that’s okay
- Families aren’t perfect
- You can love people without supporting their behavior
5. Allow yourself time to enjoy the season:
Though you may or may not feel like a Scrooge around the holiday season, remind yourself that you’re allowed to find something you enjoy about it. Whether it’s something simple like enjoying a limited-time seasonal food (I’m thinking specialty coffees and chocolate), or something more involved like holiday decorating or fun winter activities with friends or families, allow yourself to find something you like to do.
6. Keep it in moderation:
For many, moderation is the hardest part of the holidays. The holidays often revolve around food and fun, but that doesn’t mean you have to go overboard. Stick to some pre-planned limits when you go to parties. If alcohol is a problem for you, only permit yourself one drink – or make it a rule not to drink at holiday parties. If you have a hard time over-indulging on holiday foods, become more acquainted with your limits and stick to a plan. Sticking to a structured schedule can feel especially impossible during this whirlwind season, but setting aside time to prioritize it can help you to avoid unhealthy behaviors in the future.
7. Give Back:
For many, depression permeates the supposed season of joy. To fight back, spending some time giving to those in need may be just the thing. You could do this in many ways. Helping out at a local homeless shelter, putting together gift boxes for kids who need it, or simply donating a little extra money to your favorite charity are just a few ideas on how to give back to people in need. Putting in a little extra effort to make someone’s holiday season better can truly make it a joyful season of giving.
8. Avoid indulgence + Stick to a budget:
The holidays are also the season of spending! Just like moderation with food and alcohol, it’s important to practice moderation with finances. Though it can be tempting to follow where the sales lead you, reckless spending can lead to a cycle of regret. In order to avoid this, put a little extra time and effort into creating a budget for the holiday season. Know your limits – and stick to them. (And show yourself grace if you mess up every now and then!)
9. Practice gratitude:
A study by two psychologists, Dr. Robert A. Emmons of the University of California, Davis, and Dr. Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami shows that gratitude and happiness are intimately (and scientifically) correlated in research.
“In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.” [4]
Whether you keep a gratitude journal, write someone a thank you letter, or simply pray to express gratitude, practicing thankfulness can help put you in a positive mindset.
10. Reach out to others:
Lastly, don’t be afraid to reach out to others about how you’re feeling. The holidays can bring overwhelming amounts of stress, anxiety, depression, anger, grief, and joy all at once.. One of the best things you can do for yourself during this time is to surround yourself with people you trust. Connect. Open up. Share love and kindness. Listen.
Safe Harbor Blog Posts Mentioned in This Article:
- https://safeharborim.com/when-to-get-counseling/
- https://safeharborim.com/dreading-family-loss-during-holidays/
Written by Brooke Smoke, a 2020 blogger at Safe Harbor International Ministries and Marquetta Smith (ED for Safe Harbor). Edited by Anjum Ahmed & Rebecca Kochanek. For more articles, check out our blog page: https://safeharborim.com/articles/.
by Marquetta Smith | Dec 12, 2022 | Family Life, Family Living, Holidays
The holiday season is officially in full swing; Families are hanging decorations, preparing their Christmas tree. Around my house Christmas is a big deal and hanging stockings and planning meal spreads for our friends and family is equally important. This year Safe Harbor would like to share some old favorite recipes from our past interns along with adding a new sweet treat recipe from yours truly.
Here are some great recipes that everyone can enjoy.
Baked Apple Cider Doughnut Muffins
Having your house smell like apple cider and warm doughnuts makes everything feel cozy and perfect, on a cold winter day. I found this recipe during Thanksgiving and it has been a hit in my house ever since. This is truly one of my favorite doughnut recipes.
Muffins recipe:
- 1 ¼ cups apple cider
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 large egg
- ⅔ cup milk, room temperature
- ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 vanilla extract
Note: reducing apple cider by cooking it down intensifies the flavor.
Topping:
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Note: muffins can be eaten with or without topping. Either way it is a warm sweet treat for the whole family to share.
Baking instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, line a 12-count muffin tin with baking cups.
- In a small saucepan over low heat simmer cider or until reduced to ¾ cup. Remove cider from heat and set aside to cool for at least 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, cardamom, nutmeg and salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together butter, egg, milk, sugars, and vanilla extract.
- Add dry ingredients along with cooled reduced cider.
- Spoon in batter into muffin cups ¾ full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool 2-3 minutes on a wire rack.
- To make the topping: combine sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg in a small bowl. Dip muffin tops in melted butter followed by sugar mixture. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, then serve.
- Muffins will keep 3-4 days in an airtight container at room temperature or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Per serving: 310 Calories; 14g; 8 g Sat Fat; 0 g trans fat; 105 mg cholesterol; 210 mg sodium; 43 g carb; 1 g fiber; 27 g sugar; 5 g protein
Gingerbread Cookies
This Christmas classic is one that is loved by families and children from all over.
INGREDIENTS
- ¾ c. (1 1/2 sticks) butter softened
- ¾ c. packed brown sugar
- ⅔ c. molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 3 ¼ c. all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp. ground ginger
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp. ground cloves
- ½ tsp. kosher salt
- ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
- Icing for decoration
- Sprinkles, for decorating
Baking instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350° and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Place one disc of dough on a lightly floured surface and roll until 1/4″ thick. Cut out gingerbread men with a 3″ wide cutter and transfer to baking sheets.
- Bake until slightly puffed and set, 9 to 10 minutes, depending on the size of your cookie cutters. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Repeat with the remaining disc of dough. Decorate with icing and sprinkles as desired.
No-bake Peanut Butter Pie
This rich and creamy pie has become a personal staple in my home for the holidays. I make two for Thanksgiving and two for Christmas. I can promise that one slice will fill you up!
Fudge Layer:
- 2 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips or cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
In a medium saucepan, mix sugar, chocolate, milk, and corn syrup together, stirring occasionally, to the softball stage or about 234 F to 240 F on a candy thermometer.
Graham Cracker Crust:
You can use graham crackers, vanilla wafers or chessmen cookies, I personally use chessmen cookies.
- Mix 1 ¼ cups graham cracker, chessmen cookies or vanilla wafer crumbs
- ¼ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup melted butter or margarine;
- pat into a 9-inch pie plate and chill for about 30 minutes before filling.
Peanut Butter Filling:
- 8-ounces or soften cream cheese
- A 16-ounce jar of creamy peanut butter, use half if you want a lighter taste
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ½ cup milk
- 2 cups whipped topping, you can use cool whip or make it from scratch; this is completely up to you.
After the crust is finished chilling, pour the fudge layer and let it chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. scoop in the peanut butter layer and smooth it out evenly. Spread a layer of cool whip on top. Finally, sprinkle with Reese’s cups and drizzle with chocolate and caramel syrup. This is best chilled before serving.
Chocolate Fudge
There are so many options when it comes to what kind of fudge to make. Fudge is a dessert that is fun to make as gifts or for a sweet touch at family dinners.
- Cooking spray
- 2 ¾ c. chocolate chips
- 1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tbsp. heavy cream
- 4 tbsp. butter
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp. kosher salt
- 3 tbsp. Christmas sprinkles
Directions
- Line an 8”-x-8” baking pan with parchment paper and grease with cooking spray. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt chocolate, condensed milk, butter, cream, vanilla, and salt together. Stir until smooth then pour into the prepared pan.
- Top with sprinkles and refrigerate until set, 2 hours. Cut into squares to serve.
Pumpkin Roll
This is one of my husband’s favorites and is a great alternative to pumpkin pie.
Ingredients for the cake.
- 3-4 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ¾ cup 115g all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 cup 225g granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup 175g canned pumpkin
- For the filling
- 1 package 8oz/227g cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup 125g powdered sugar
- 6 tablespoons 84g butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- More powdered sugar for garnish
Baking instructions:
Preheat the oven at 375 F, grease a 13×18 inch pan lined with parchment paper; grease and flour it. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt, in a small bowl. Beat eggs and sugar in a large mixing bowl, until thick and pale yellow. Mix in pumpkin and flour, and spread evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 13-15 minutes, after removing from the oven, quickly remove cake and place on a prepared kitchen towel. Carefully peel off the parchment paper, and roll from the narrow end until the cake is covered with the towel. Let cool on a cooling rack.
For the filling: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla in a small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake; remove towel. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Remember that it is ok to indulge a little this holiday season. Food is a major way for friends and family to come together. You deserve to enjoy a sweet treat!
Safe Harbor Articles linked in the article:
- https://safeharborim.com/the-family-unit-different-meanings-same-goal/
- https://safeharborim.com/10-ways-to-stay-mentally-healthy-during-the-holidays/
- https://safeharborim.com/self-care-tips-for-the-holidays/
Written by Jessica Christian, a 2020 blogger at Safe Harbor International Ministries and Marquetta Smith (ED for Safe Harbor IM). For more articles, check out our blog page: https://safeharborim.com/articles/.
by Marquetta Smith | Jan 20, 2022 | Dating, Singles
Dating can be very daunting for many new singles, especially if the person has not dated in a while. This journey can be full of ups and downs. I would tell anyone thinking about dating again, no matter how they became single, to first spend time alone with God. Spending time in prayer and consecration can help the newly single person develop a stronger relationship with God.
I really believe that this is so important before launching into the world of dating. By spending time with God, you get a chance to listen to God’s heart for you and talk to Him about your past painful experiences and ask Him to heal you from things that can keep you from meeting the right person.
It is so important to get healed from past hurts and traumas because you don’t want to drag your past into your future. God is so concerned with your healing. Psalm 34:18 states that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those whose spirits are crushed.” Allow God to deal with your past so that He can move you into a glorious future.
Here are a few more tips for newly single folks:
- Please get to know who you are first before you start dating: Singles often sit around hoping for that special someone to come into their lives but have spent very little time getting to know themselves. Getting to know yourself is so important. You need to know what you like, what you don’t like, your fears, strengths, and weaknesses. You will better understand what you will tolerate and even what you absolutely can not handle by getting to know yourself. Take the time to get to know yourself to know what kind of person will be a good fit for your life and what kind of person you won’t be.
- Know what you want in a relationship before you start dating: Spend time writing down specific things you would like to have in a relationship. Go deeper in understanding what type of character you would like to be with, not just superficial things like looks.
- Don’t set a timeline for when you will meet the person you want to marry: We often set timelines for when we should be married when we begin dating. This puts pressure on you as well as the person you are dating. This is not a race but a journey. I truly understand that some newly singles don’t want to drag out this process and just like the process of dating to be over. Been there and received many T-shirts for that feeling. But trusting God’s timing is far better than setting our own timeline.
- Make sure you are ready to start dating: If you’re not prepared to date someone, just don’t do it. It’s better to feel completely prepared and confident enough to meet someone who can compliment you. Make sure you are open and committed to finding a long-term relationship, and in turn, you could meet someone really great.
- Just because he (she) pursues you doesn’t mean he’s (she’s) good for you: We all have a desire to be loved, to be pursued, and to be wanted. But sometimes, we fulfill that desire by allowing relationships into our lives that are neither good nor healthy. Don’t settle for someone who pursues you that you are not interested in. Chances are you may be wasting your time and theirs.
- Don’t try to force it to work when it’s obviously not working: Sometimes, we know that a relationship is just really complicated and challenging, yet we try to force it anyway. We make excuses when we should be setting boundaries. We try to push it into place instead of watching it fall into place – and then we end up pushing for the rest of the time. But healthy relationships need to have the space to unfold naturally, step by step, without force.
- Don’t be so quick to make the person your man or woman: Allow the friendship to happen first. Many times as singles, we overlook the power of friendship first. Friendship is such a vital foundation for building a relationship. The best marriages happen when you marry your BFF…so cultivate a friendship first.
- Just because the person looks good does not mean that they are suitable for you: Try to avoid this obvious and serious mistake many people make when dating. Physical attraction can be deceiving. It’s important to remember that physical attraction is essential – but it’s only one piece of the pie. Search for someone you’re mentally, emotionally, and spiritually attracted to because that is what completes the picture of a healthy relationship.
- If you are going to try online dating, find the best dating site for you: There are many dating sites out there, and some are good, and some are horrible. Do your homework first. Choosing the right dating site takes time and research – you want to find something that caters to your needs and desires. Don’t be lazy and ensure you thoroughly check the terms and privacy: does the website guarantee complete privacy of your messages and photos? If so, you’ll have the reassurance that people on the dating website are really there to meet someone, just like you. Also, take advantage of the online personality tests the dating site has. Those tests are then used to match members with similar traits to create the best chance of forming a long-term connection.
- Ask God to complete you as a person while you are waiting: Continue to deal with your past baggage, get a grip on your identity, and ask God to give you a vision for your future. Do you genuinely know what you are called to do in life? If not, take the time to find out what it is and start moving in that direction. Everything you invest in becoming healthy and whole right now, you’ll reap the rewards for later in your relationships. It’s never in vain to become the best version of yourself.
Written by Marquetta Smith, MSW, Certified Christian Counselor, Safe Harbor International Ministries. For more articles, visit our blog page at https://safeharborim.com/articles/.
by Marquetta Smith | Oct 18, 2021 | Counseling, Empowerment, Featured Post, Grief & Loss, Healthy Lifestyles, Holidays, Journaling
Getting through the Holidays while grieving the loss of a loved one can be difficult. After the death of a loved one, people often dread the holidays due to so many reminders of the person that has passed away. Holidays can bring up so many feelings and triggers for those who are grieving. Let’s face it, grieving sucks, and it can be very draining. In this article, we explore what grief is and 10 tips on dealing with grief during the Holidays.
10 tips on dealing with grief during the Holidays
1. Try to talk to someone. 
Finding a safe space and place to get out all of your feelings can be difficult. For many people, this may be difficult if they do not already have a robust support system in place. Whether it be a friend, or a family member, talking to someone about what you are feeling can help ease the weight on your shoulders. You might find that the person you are talking to has experienced something similar and can help you through your grief.
2. Know when it’s time to talk to a counselor.
Anyone who has undergone a loss can benefit from counseling. Of course, plenty of people grieve without attending counseling. Nevertheless, it’s hard to go through, and counseling can almost always help you through the struggle. There is no right or wrong time to get counseling for grief.
Also, it’s essential to recognize that people go through many different types of loss. Your grief may not be because of a human’s death. People also seek counseling for grief associated with loss of a job, pet, home, business deal, divorce, loss of a body part, loss of movement (stuck in the house due to pandemic).
3. Don’t skip the grieving process/let it happen.
Some people think that they are okay after losing a loved one and do not need to grieve the loss. This is one of the number one mistakes a person can make when grieving.
If you’ve avoided processing your grief at all, then you’re asking for trouble down the line. If you quickly put the loss behind you without genuinely dealing with it, then the pain will resurface when you least expect it.
4. It’s okay to say the word “NO. 
For those grieving, understand that people around you may start to invite you to family and friend outings, get-togethers, and, yes, those pesky Holiday dinners. Even though they do not mean any harm, it can still be a bit much for the griever. Here is a simple word of advice, it’s okay to say no if you genuinely do not want to go. It’s okay.
Moving too quickly to please other people can add more stress and pressure on an individual, especially while going through the grieving process. Take your time and decide what is best for you and what you want to do during the Holidays. Remember, it’s not about others; it’s about you. It is your time to grieve. So take your time!
5. Try to stick to a regular sleeping pattern.
Falling asleep can be especially hard when grieving, but to help with the process, try to stick to a regular sleeping pattern. If you struggle to fall asleep, have a look at some tips on how to get to sleep.
6. Set small targets each day.
Don’t try to achieve everything at once when getting ready for the Holidays. Instead, set small tasks and targets for yourself that you can quickly achieve. This is very important, especially when you are preparing for the Holidays.
If you have to shop for people and family during the holidays, try to make a list now to avoid doing this around the holiday week. This can cause extra stress and pressure.
7. Try to avoid addictive substances and behavior.
Yes, during the Holidays, individuals are more tempted to drink their blues away than at any other time. Though it can be tempting to numb your feelings, try to avoid things like alcohol and drugs while grieving. They might numb your feelings for now, but those feelings are only suppressed, and alcohol/drugs can also contribute to poor mental and physical health.
8. Boost your immune system. 
Experiencing a loss can quickly drain your energy and emotional reserves. It is more important than ever to look after your physical and mental health while you are grieving: It might help to juice green leafy vegetables, celery stalks and find an excellent protein to add to your veggie juice.
Take your vitamins and talk to your doctor to see if they recommend other supplements to help boost your immune system while you are going through the grieving process.
9. Unplug from technology.
Social media is a great way to connect with people you don’t see every day by keeping up with what they are doing. On days that can be lonely, this can be more painful than beneficial. To avoid FOMO, stay off your socials for the day and just focus on what you’re doing!
Some research suggests that disclosing deep emotions through writing can boost immune function and mood, and well-being. Conversely, the stress of holding in strong feelings can ratchet up blood pressure and heart rate and increase muscle tension.
You might want to seek professional support to help you start to deal with your grief before trying journal writing. If you need help to create your journal today, need ideas on how to get started, or purchase your own downloadable journal, please visit our site today at Safe Harbor.
Conclusion:
In this article, we explored what grief is and 10 Tips on dealing with grief during the Holidays. Remember that you are not alone. It is easy to feel like you are entirely alone when you are grieving, especially during the Holidays. Remember that that is not the case. Most people feel similar to how you might be feeling after experiencing a loss.
If you need to talk to someone, remember that there is support available. If you need to speak with someone today, please reach out to our counseling center to chat. We offer a safe, nonjudgmental space to help you heal.
Written by Marquetta Smith, MSSW, ED, Christian Counselor at Safe Harbor International Ministries. For more articles please visit our blog page at https://safeharborim.com/articles/
Resources:
Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels
“No” Photo by SHVETS production from Pexels
“Juicing” Photo by Alexander Mils from Pexels
Good Therapy, May 20, 2018 : https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/when-loss-hurts-6-physical-effects-of-grief-0520187
Well Clinic, July 31, 2019: https://www.wellsanfrancisco.com/5-signs-that-you-might-need-grief-counseling/
https://whatsyourgrief.com/5-benefits-of-grief-journaling/
Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/complicated-grief/symptoms-causes/syc-20360374
Harvard Health: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/writing-to-ease-grief
