"Dealing with our daughter’s addiction was by far the most difficult and the most painful thing we have had to navigate together as a couple."

Shelley

• Set Expectations

  Setting expectations are a great way to ensure that a briefing runs smoothly without constant interruptions. Stating expectations at th...
  Setting expectations are a great way to ensure that a briefing runs smoothly without constant interruptions. Stating expectations at the start of your team brief will help you to manage the process more effectively. For example, expectations may be set around the length of time the team brief will take, how and when questions will be taken, and when attention will be required.
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• Be resourceful

  Never give up or give in when faced with a challenge. Find out as much information as you can about your situation, whether that means ...
  Never give up or give in when faced with a challenge. Find out as much information as you can about your situation, whether that means talking to someone who has been through it or looking it up in the yellow pages or on the internet to find resources that will help you get through the situation.
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• Have a good support system

  A support system can consist of friends or family or simply a group of people that are going through the same difficult situation. Reme...
  A support system can consist of friends or family or simply a group of people that are going through the same difficult situation. Remember to surround yourself with love and love yourself no matter what situation occurs.
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• Handle your emotions

  In any and every situation that you encounter you will have emotional responses. Sometimes you may feel emotions such as hurt, sad, dis...
  In any and every situation that you encounter you will have emotional responses. Sometimes you may feel emotions such as hurt, sad, disappointment, anger, frustration, shame or loneliness. You need to let yourself feel the emotions. Cry when you need to cry. Punch a pillow, yell, scream, roll around on the floor and have a temper tantrum. Let the emotions pass through you like a current and move on.
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• Have a sense of humor

  Learn to laugh at your situation or mistakes no matter how bad they are. Laughter is like medicine and sometimes it can be contagious. ...
  Learn to laugh at your situation or mistakes no matter how bad they are. Laughter is like medicine and sometimes it can be contagious. Write a journal and record your feelings. Find a peaceful outlet such as a long walk, taking deep breaths, listening to your favorite music or watching a good movie.
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A Different Treatment?

If you are experiencing distressing side effects, ask your doctor or therapist whether a different treatment would be suitable for you....

If you are experiencing distressing side effects, ask your doctor or therapist whether a different treatment would be suitable for you. Don’t be afraid of telling your doctor or therapist about the side effects that you are experiencing. That’s the only way to know if your prescribed medication is helping you to go through your addiction or mental illness.

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Problem solve

Try problem-solving. Work out what you need to do now to get over what’s happened to you....

Try problem-solving. Work out what you need to do now to get over what’s happened to you.

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Keep calm

Try to regulate your emotions, for example by staying calm, rather than reacting violently with tears, anger or fear....

Try to regulate your emotions, for example by staying calm, rather than reacting violently with tears, anger or fear.

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Use humour

See the funny side and you’ll cope with the situation better. Jokes have a way of making worries shrivel up and die. A good sense of ...

See the funny side and you’ll cope with the situation better. Jokes have a way of making worries shrivel up and die. A good sense of humour is a great inner strength.

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Be proud of surviving

Something bad happened, but you survived. Look back and try to find things about what you did or how you responded that you can be prou...

Something bad happened, but you survived. Look back and try to find things about what you did or how you responded that you can be proud of.

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Feeling totally burned out? Retreat in solitude for a while

Take a bath, hide out in your bedroom and watch movies or read books or magazines, or go by yourself to your favorite place in nature. ...

Take a bath, hide out in your bedroom and watch movies or read books or magazines, or go by yourself to your favorite place in nature. If you can, get out of town for a weekend. The distance will recharge your batteries.

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When you're feeling down, or not yourself, listen to music

Trust your intuition to tell you what you need - soothing, classical music, upbeat, fun music, or mellow, chill-out tunes. The notes wi...

Trust your intuition to tell you what you need - soothing, classical music, upbeat, fun music, or mellow, chill-out tunes. The notes will shift your vibration and bring you back to center.

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Learn to say

It's hard to say no sometimes, but recognize you can't do everything, pace yourself....

It's hard to say no sometimes, but recognize you can't do everything, pace yourself.

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Face your difficulties

Problems have a tendency to mount quickly, until there can seem so many as to be overwhelming. Tackle them one at a time. Set achievabl...

Problems have a tendency to mount quickly, until there can seem so many as to be overwhelming. Tackle them one at a time. Set achievable goals. Your day will seem appreciably lighter after even one dreaded task is tackled.

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Go ahead and make mistakes

No one's perfect. The only way we really learn is from our mistakes. Accept them as the natural process of growing in wisdom....

No one's perfect. The only way we really learn is from our mistakes. Accept them as the natural process of growing in wisdom.

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Call an old friend

Often, speaking to an old friend can be just what the doctor ordered. Chances are you have a lot to catch up on, and this can provide a...

Often, speaking to an old friend can be just what the doctor ordered. Chances are you have a lot to catch up on, and this can provide a distraction from whatever you’re struggling with for an hour or two of an evening.

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Try volunteering

You may well be surprised at the effect that helping other people can have on your own condition. It is inspiring and rewarding, and ma...

You may well be surprised at the effect that helping other people can have on your own condition. It is inspiring and rewarding, and may help you to find perspective in your own current issues.

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Allow yourself to be less than perfect

Many depressed people are perfectionists, holding themselves to impossibly high standards and then beating themselves up when they fail...

Many depressed people are perfectionists, holding themselves to impossibly high standards and then beating themselves up when they fail to meet them. Battle this source of self-imposed stress by challenging your negative ways of thinking

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Socialize with positive people

Notice how people who always look on the bright side deal with challenges, even minor ones, like not being able to find a parking space...

Notice how people who always look on the bright side deal with challenges, even minor ones, like not being able to find a parking space. Then consider how you would react in the same situation. Even if you have to pretend, try to adopt their optimism and persistence in the face of difficulty.

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SLEEP!

Aim for 8 hours a night, and in the morning, things won’t seem quite so unmanageable. Your body will also benefit greatly from sleepi...

Aim for 8 hours a night, and in the morning, things won’t seem quite so unmanageable. Your body will also benefit greatly from sleeping more and you will generally feel better, so you can deal with the situation you have in a more effective and positive way.

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Get a pet

If you like animals, get yourself a pet! Dogs in particular are great for cheering people up, and forcing them to get active by walking...

If you like animals, get yourself a pet! Dogs in particular are great for cheering people up, and forcing them to get active by walking them. They’re also a great conversation starter with strangers.

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Turn to friends and family members

Now is the time to lean on the people who care about you, even if you take pride in being strong and self-sufficient. Draw loved ones c...

Now is the time to lean on the people who care about you, even if you take pride in being strong and self-sufficient. Draw loved ones close, rather than avoiding them, and accept the assistance that’s offered. Oftentimes, people want to help but don’t know how, so tell them what you need—whether it’s a shoulder to cry on or help with funeral arrangements.

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Face your feelings

You can try to suppress your grief, but you can’t avoid it forever. In order to heal, you have to acknowledge the pain. Trying to avo...

You can try to suppress your grief, but you can’t avoid it forever. In order to heal, you have to acknowledge the pain. Trying to avoid feelings of sadness and loss only prolongs the grieving process. Unresolved grief can also lead to complications such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and health problems.

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Look after your physical health

The mind and body are connected. When you feel good physically, you’ll also feel better emotionally. Combat stress and fatigue by get...

The mind and body are connected. When you feel good physically, you’ll also feel better emotionally. Combat stress and fatigue by getting enough sleep, eating right, and exercising. Don’t use alcohol or drugs to numb the pain of grief or lift your mood artificially.

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Don’t let anyone tell you how to feel, and don’t tell yourself how to feel either

Your grief is your own, and no one else can tell you when it’s time to “move on” or “get over it.” Let yourself feel whatever...

Your grief is your own, and no one else can tell you when it’s time to “move on” or “get over it.” Let yourself feel whatever you feel without embarrassment or judgment. It’s okay to be angry, to yell at the heavens, to cry or not to cry. It’s also okay to laugh, to find moments of joy, and to let go when you’re ready.

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Plan ahead for grief “triggers”

Anniversaries, holidays, and milestones can reawaken memories and feelings. Be prepared for an emotional wallop, and know that it’s c...

Anniversaries, holidays, and milestones can reawaken memories and feelings. Be prepared for an emotional wallop, and know that it’s completely normal. If you’re sharing a holiday or lifecycle event with other relatives, talk to them ahead of time about their expectations and agree on strategies to honor the person you loved.

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Coping with separation/divorce

Recognize that it’s OK to have different feelings. It’s normal to feel sad, angry, exhausted, frustrated, and confused—and these ...

Recognize that it’s OK to have different feelings. It’s normal to feel sad, angry, exhausted, frustrated, and confused—and these feelings can be intense. You also may feel anxious about the future. Accept that reactions like these will lessen over time. Even if the marriage was unhealthy, venturing into the unknown is frightening.

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Give yourself a break

Give yourself permission to feel and to function at a less than optimal level for a period of time. You may not be able to be quite as ...

Give yourself permission to feel and to function at a less than optimal level for a period of time. You may not be able to be quite as productive on the job or care for others in exactly the way you’re accustomed to for a little while. No one is superman or superwoman; take time to heal, regroup, and re-energize.

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Don’t go through problems alone

Sharing your feelings with friends and family can help you get through this period. Consider joining a support group where you can talk...

Sharing your feelings with friends and family can help you get through this period. Consider joining a support group where you can talk to others in similar situations. Isolating yourself can raise your stress levels, reduce your concentration, and get in the way of your work, relationships, and overall health. Don’t be afraid to get outside help if you need it.

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After a breakup

Cultivate new friendships. If you feel like you have lost your social network along with the divorce or breakup, make an effort to meet...

Cultivate new friendships. If you feel like you have lost your social network along with the divorce or breakup, make an effort to meet new people. Join a networking group or special interest club, take a class, get involved in community activities, or volunteer at a school, place of worship, or other community organization.

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