Happy Thanksgiving from The Hub!

We recognize the holidays can be a difficult time for people for a variety of reasons. This week we are sharing articles and resources to help you cope with some of the challenges that arise during the holidays. We will be back next week with our regular Weekly Update.

We wish you a peaceful, healthy start to the holiday season!
Giving thanks can make you happier - Harvard Health

Each holiday season comes with high expectations for a cozy and festive time of year. However, for many this time of year is tinged with sadness, anxiety, or depression. Certainly, major depression or a severe anxiety disorder benefits most from ...

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www.health.harvard.edu
Strategies to Help You Cope With Grief During Holidays

For anyone dealing with an illness, grief, or the loss of a loved one, the holidays can be a time of sadness, pain, anger, or dread. It can be difficult to cope, especially when you see the sights and sounds of holiday happiness all around you.

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www.verywellhealth.com
10 Tips to Prepare for Holiday Celebrations When You
Aren't Drinking Alcohol
If you are in recovery and trying to maintain your sobriety, here are some tips from SMARTrecovery.org to help you prepare to attend holiday celebrations as a non-drinker:

  1. Take a sober friend with you if possible
  2. Ask what the alternative drinks will be; do you need to bring your own beverage?
  3. Go in with an inward attitude of pride in not drinking (not outwardly obnoxious)
  4. Have an exit strategy if you get too uncomfortable (e.g., fake emergency or engagement)
  5. Make sure your car is not parked in a spot where it is blocked in by other cars
  6. Don’t volunteer to be the designated driver as that requires that you stay until the end of the event
  7. Have your own transportation or means of getting away
  8. Observe the people pounding the drinks down; ask yourself if they are really witty, popular, etc. or just incoherent and not very interesting?
  9. Remind yourself of the actual purpose of the gathering
  10. Personalize this list by adding your own ideas

You can still enjoy a festive looking drink. Try one of these mocktail recipes.

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