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Coping with flashbacks worksheet


4 Tools to Cope with Flashbacks — Beauty After Bruises

 

    There is no delicate way to put it: flashbacks are just awful. Whether you've just started experiencing these upsetting and intrusive symptoms, or you've been fighting them for years, we know how challenging and exhaustive they can be! Thankfully, a wide variety of tools and skills exist to help you break free—each one highly customizable to your specific needs. That said, some of the very best options out there can take some time, and a lot of practice, before you've shaped them into that go-to symptom management tool you can pull on any time. Skills like imagery, containment, split-screen, and a few modulation tools are all incredibly valuable, but they can be quite advanced, and sometimes even turn survivors away from them altogether if introduced too soon. For those new in their healing, options that are very straightforward and uncomplicated can be their greatest lifeline. For those with a full workshop of tools, we know how possible it is for giant waves of new or stubborn trauma material to put even your best skills out of reach. So, items that are extremely easy to recall in a time of panic or crisis, as well as very rudimentary to enact, may be the only efficient tools at your disposal. We hope to be able to offer survivors in all stages of recovery that perfect flashback kit.

    Before we get too far, let's first define what a flashback is! Whether you're a trauma survivor yourself, or a loved one/supporter of one who’s trying to learn more, you may be surprised to learn there are different types of flashbacks:

 

 

    So, what can you do?

     We recognize that half the battle when you're struggling is being able to just remember that these tools even exist and are available to you. When you're terrified, feeling very young, or you aren't oriented to the present, it can be really hard to even recognize that you're symptomatic. Try to be compassionate with yourself (or your friend, family member, or client) about this. Years upon years, sometimes decades, were spent responding to distress/trauma in the same exact way; it is very hard to retrain the brain to respond differently when you're only presented an opportunity to try every so often. Also, flashbacks stem from a completely different section of our daily-functioning brain. It takes hard work to override that circuitry, and none of us think very logically or critically when we’re flooded with fear and adrenaline. But, with practice, and utilizing these skills as early in your symptoms as you can, you'll find they become more habitual and automatic - taking less conscious effort and acting more like muscle memory.

     Let's get to it!

 

 

Grounding

     Your absolute number one, first line of defense for any posttraumatic symptom is to get grounded—or at least substantially more grounded than you are in that moment. None of your other skills will be as effective if you aren't oriented to the present day, body, and sense of self first. (You can learn more about what it means to be grounded, as well as have an entire list of 101 Grounding Techniques at your fingertips, right here on our website!) We do know it can sometimes feel impossible to practice grounding before you've put a memory away, especially if that memory is what's fueling your dissociation and making you ungrounded. But, if you're heavily dissociated, and stuck in the past, you're only putting the memory away in the past - not in the here and now. It will continue to find you in this timeline. As you start the grounding process, you'll find that some of the intensity of the trauma material backs down, freeing you up to use other skills you may have (i.e. containment or modulation). This takes things down another notch, allowing you to get even more grounded, and so on. A positive loop.

    What are some of the best, most-easily accessible grounding tools?:

  • Open your eyes. Uncover your ears. Make as many senses available as you can!

  • Look around. Try to label 5 things you can see, 5 things of a single color, 5 things of one shape.

  • Listen. What do you hear? Is it close or far? Loud or soft? Pleasant or grating?

  • Open up, feet on the floor. If you're curled into a ball, or have your feet tucked up on the chair, try to put them on the floor and press your feet firmly into the ground. Become rooted to the space you’re in (no longer lifted or untethered from everything, just like your currently dissociative mind). And, especially free yourself of those more childlike, fear-based positions that continue to alert to your brain that you’re in danger. We know they feel self-soothing, but they’re cuing the exact opposite message to your mind in the middle of this symptom. You may be able to return to it later after you’ve gotten confidently in control of these memories.

  • De-trance. If you are rocking, tapping, swaying a limb, clicking, or engaging in any other rhythmic, trancing motion, try to start slowing it to a pause or make sure it’s at least no longer a pattern. Some of these actions may be part of something sensorily grounding for you, or a positive stim; if that's the case, just try to diversify its monotonous, predictable traits that can lull us deeper into those trancey spaces.

  • Sit upright. If you are slouching deep in your seat or laying down on your bed, try to slowly sit up - vertebrae by vertebrae. Lying prone can be very disorienting and triggering for many.

  • Orient. Remind yourself of the date, your age, where you are, and that you're safe now.

  • Movement. If you feel frozen and unable to move, start by just trying to wiggle your toes or finger tips. Slowly work up the body, little by little, until you regain function and control of your body. This may take awhile if you’re particularly locked in. That’s okay, just go at your body’s safe pace. In your time, control, and say so.

  • Smell. Inhale strong fragrances (they don't have to be pleasant!). Coffee, candles, lemon, lotions, the kitty litter, it doesn’t matter! Just awaken yourself to what’s before you.

  • Taste. Chew gum, eat mints, or suck on sours. Eat a meal or snack. Drink a very cold or warm beverage.

  • Touch. Run your fingers over unique textures within reach. Your clothes, the furniture, a zipper, a pet, a grounding stone, or fidget item.

   There are many, many other grounding tools, as well as a more detailed explanation as to why and how they are helpful, in our aforementioned article, so we'll move on to our next step to not be redundant! It has the best hacks anyway ;) Our seasoned pros will have heard all these surface-level ones a million times! 

 

Self-Talk

     Our inner monologue is far more important and powerful than we tend to give it credit. Self-talk during a flashback can be part of your grounding or be used to keep you calm and steady while you employ other techniques.  It can be hard to access your grounding skills (or other tools) if you’re in a panic and can't remember what's even happening to you or who you are. Self-talk can be a vital skill that allows everything else to fall into line.

   You can say things to yourself like:

  • "This is a flashback. It is just a flashback; it is not real. This is not happening right now."

  • "I am safe now. No one is presently harming me. There is no external threat to my safety in this moment."

  • "I am an adult now. My name is ______. I am ____ years old. It is 20__."

  • "This will not last forever. I have the power to make this symptom go away."

  • "I am competent. I am able. I have done this before."

  • "It's important that I get grounded. Dissociating can feel safer, but I've learned it puts me and others at risk. I can do this."

  • "I can ask for help. I am worthy, even if that's hard to believe right now."

  • "This is temporary. I can feel it getting easier already. I will be okay."

  • “I am in control. I get to decide when and how this leaves. I have the power now.”

   Find a mantra or phrase that feels right to you, something you know you'll remember when it's time. Talk yourself through the process. It is healthy, helps keep you planted in reality, and reminds you of the power you have now that you didn’t before.

 

Separating Past from Present

     Separating past from present can work on many levels as a combination of self-talk, grounding and reality-testing. It's also a tool outsiders or loved ones can help you with, too! No longer all up to you! During a flashback, it's very easy to be disoriented from the current time or place. You could feel like you're all the way back in the 80's, believe you're a small child, or just in a completely different environment than you truly are. Taking the time to label all the things that are different now from the past you're reliving can help your mind tease apart the complete lack of safety you feel from the true security of your present environment. You can do so in your mind, out loud, in writing, or some other creative way that feels right to you.

   Some examples:

  • "It is 20__, not [date/timeframe of the flashback]"

  • *look at body* "These are adult hands and feet. I am taller now." Observe other physical changes like tattoos, body modifications, health changes, wrinkles or grey hairs.

  • "There were no smartphones back then. TVs didn't look like this. I didn't have a laptop or desktop computer like this." Notice other anachronisms and things that couldn’t have existed at the time of the memory.

  • "I live on my own now. This is MY house/apartment. I can drive now. I have children/a spouse/a partner now. These are my car keys. This is my drivers’ license/ID." Notice all the traits of living a very adult life - one that has control, power, and say-so that young you didn’t.

  • “I am currently outside. That happened inside. (Or vice versa.) It was nighttime then, but it’s noon now.” Name several other environmental differences, or alterations in the room, time, day, furniture, clothes, etc.

  • "I have a voice. Before I would have been too scared to even make a sound right now." [Then use your voice in any form to prove to yourself that it's safe to do so.]

  • "I am a strong, competent adult now; I am no longer a helpless child. I have options to ensure my own safety, as well as the safety of others. I employ those options."

  • Label any changes about your abuser(s): their age, location, relationship to you, if they has passed, etc.

  • Label any other major life changes: geographic locations, professions, people you know now that you didn't back then, folks who may have passed on (particularly abusers if they’re no longer with us), other appearance changes, physical limitations or since-acquired illness/disability (or recovery from!), pets you now have, etc.

  • List (or listen to) popular music, movies, entertainment you enjoy now. Remind yourself these things did not exist back then.

  • Acknowledge the positive supports you have in your life now: new friends, a therapist, a partner, pets, family members, kids, etc.

 

 

Internal Communication

     Internal communication is a bit more specific to those with DID/OSDD, but can still be applicable to those with C-PTSD or PTSD in different ways. It is also not quite an "easy, basic skill", as was the case in the other tools offered. This is definitely more of an advanced skill, however, it is very important to include because failing to check inside has the potential to render alllll your other grounding/symptom management tools ineffective. It may come as a surprise to some, but alters in a DID/OSDD system, or even just parts of a less compartmentalized C-PTSD individual, are capable of sending flashbacks your way on purpose. It is not always with nefarious or hurtful intent. It's often with the counterintuitive desire to protect or is being used as a means of communication. This may look like handing you pieces of memory they feel are important for you to know, feel, or be reminded of; or showing you what they’ve been struggling with alone for weeks, ‘asking for help’ in the only way they know how.  When this is the case, using symptom management to make the flashback go away may just exhaust you.

     If you already have some well-established communication inside of your mind, you can certainly ask them these questions more directly. But, if you aren't there yet, or if you don't have differentiated alters at all, you can still send these thoughts back into your mind and see what bubbles up. For those who are just starting to establish communication with their system, sometimes opening that line during a flashback can be the first successful connection to come through.

   Some questions you can ask alters/your mind: (Then, open yourself up to allow the answers)

  • "Is there a reason I'm being shown this flashback right now? Is someone sending this to me?"

  • "What are you trying to communicate by making me relive these images/feelings/physical pain?"

  • "Is someone else in a flashback but came too close to the front of the mind? Can we do a role call and see that everyone is grounded and present?"

  • "Are you trying to make me feel as unsafe as YOU feel right now about something else in our life?"

  • "Do you want to scare me back into silence?" "Is this your way of reminding me we aren't supposed to talk or tell anyone?"

  • "Are you trying to incapacitate me? . ..make it so that I can't go to work/go out with a friend/accomplish x task/leave the house/see x person/etc?" "Why are you afraid of me doing that?"

  • "Did something trigger you that I don't know about? Did you see/hear/feel something really familiar that I didn't notice?"

  • "Are you feeling ignored? ..like I don't care? ..like I'm not listening to you or taking your feelings into consideration? Are there other ways you could get my attention that don't include re-traumatizing me?"

  • "Are you oriented to the present? I know that it's 20__, but do you? How can we work on getting grounded together? Do you need to look through my eyes or feel in the body that we are safe and not in danger right now?"

  • "Did someone else inside order you to share this memory with me? If so, you can say so without revealing yourself to me. I want to talk to them, not you; you're not in trouble."

  • "Am I being punished for something? Can it be shared with me what I did ‘wrong’ or which rules I broke without this flashback? I can't have a conversation with you about it or make amends if I can't think straight. "

   There are many ways to appeal to parts inside to get to the root of why a flashback may have been sent your way. It is also possible to send these thoughts throughout the mind even if you do not have parts or a system. Many aspects of the mind may still be operating under similar pretenses and using these symptoms as a protective defensive mechanism -- maladaptive as that may be. Appealing internally may strike a chord and enlighten you to what the real issue is. The answer may just "click" the moment you ask, even if you can't hear a direct/"audible" reply. Once that has been discovered, you will be better able to tackle things appropriately, to meet that need or fear, instead of just exhausting yourself on symptom management skills that won't work until that primary issue is resolved.

 

❧        ❧        ❧

 

     We sincerely hope these four basic, foundational tools will be able to help you find relief and distance during a flashback -- no matter what stage you're at in your healing. Once armed with more stability and a framework from which to work, you can then explore more detailed and elaborate skills with confidence! We will absolutely be covering more of those, namely imagery, containment, modulation, and the various journaling tools that are extremely helpful in the fight against flashbacks. (We've already introduced a couple!) So, stay tuned. 

     Please don't hesitate to share some of your go-to strategies for flashbacks below and consider bookmarking this page for quicker, more direct access should you need it while you're struggling!

 

How to Cope with Flashbacks

Intrusive and painful memories of past traumatic events can leave you terrified. But learning coping skills could make these incidents easier to navigate.

Flashbacks happen when vivid memories of a traumatic experience intrude into the present.

They can create a sense of disconnection from your current surroundings. You may feel as if you’re right back in the traumatic moment, living through it all over again, even if it happened a while ago.

Flashbacks of sexual assault, abuse, and other types of trauma can begin some time after the event took place. This could happen months or years later, even if you think you’ve successfully dealt with the hurt it caused you.

After experiencing your first flashback, the ever-present worry about reexperiencing the trauma yet again might slowly weave its way into your daily life.

Feeling this dread is natural and valid. But, you don’t have to live in fear. There are some effective coping skills that can help you manage flashbacks, both in the moment and beyond.

Most flashbacks come in the form of images from the traumatic event. These images can lead you to experience intense emotions as well as physical symptoms like dizziness, shakiness, and a rapid heartbeat.

Other flashbacks, though, may come without the vivid imagery but with some of the emotions you experienced during the event.

Leading trauma therapist Pete Walker introduced the idea of emotional flashbacks to describe these episodes of overwhelming emotions.

Some of the intense emotions you could experience during these types of flashbacks include:

  • fear
  • helplessness
  • grief
  • loneliness
  • pain
  • despair

Emotional flashbacks can be common if you live with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD).

When you have these types of flashbacks, you might feel deeply distressed and also confused over the source of the emotions. This can add to an overall sense of isolation and helplessness.

Unlike nightmares, most flashbacks happen while you’re awake.

Flashbacks and nightmares aren’t the same thing, but both commonly show up as symptoms of PTSD.

That said, you don’t have to have a PTSD diagnosis to have flashbacks (or vivid nightmares) after experiencing a traumatic incident.

A flashback is when you experience memories and emotions that return you to a traumatic event.

They can last for seconds or minutes, and involve some level of dissociation or mental disconnection from the present.

During a flashback, grounding techniques and other coping strategies can help you soothe distress and make it easier to hold on to the present moment.

Practicing these exercises regularly may also help you manage flashbacks when they occur.

Breathe slow and deep

The feelings of stress and fear triggered by a flashback can tense up your muscles and speed up your heartbeat and breathing. That’s your fight-or-flight response at work.

But hyperventilation, the too-rapid breathing that commonly happens when you feel afraid or panicked, can leave you trying to catch your breath or even feeling as if you can’t breathe.

In short, breathing too quickly often only adds to your distress.

Working to control your breathing doesn’t just give you something to focus on. Maintaining a steady rhythm of breath can also help you feel calmer and more relaxed.

Give it a try

  • Inhale deeply for a count of four.
  • After inhaling, exhale slowly for the same count of four.
  • Avoid holding your breath between inhales and exhales. Steady, regular breathing is key when trying to ground yourself.
  • Since you want to belly breathe, it could help to measure your breathing with a hand on your belly. You’ll notice your hand moving slightly as your stomach expands and deflates with each inhale and exhale.

Grab an anchor object

If you experience regular flashbacks, you might find it helps to keep a small but meaningful possession with you at all times.

This anchor object, often called a grounding object, can be anything small and pocketable:

  • a memento of a loved one
  • a smooth or pleasingly textured pebble, rock, or shell
  • a keychain-sized toy or stuffed animal
  • an important piece of paper
  • a ring or necklace

Touching or holding this item can help you remember you’re experiencing a flashback.

You might even think of this item as something that helps you firmly anchor yourself, so you aren’t swept away in the overwhelming tide of memory.

Walk, move, or stretch

Mindfully moving your body can often help you move through a flashback, since it helps you refocus your consciousness on actions taking place in the present. Plus, since flashbacks often involve dissociation, movement can help you reconnect with your physical self.

A few simple movements to try:

  • Stand up and raise your arms, then reach down to your toes.
  • Walk around the room.
  • Stretch your limbs from a seated position or your favorite yoga pose.
  • Wiggle your toes. Challenge yourself to wiggle just one toe at a time. It’s OK if you can’t do it! Just making the effort can help.
  • Try progressive muscle relaxation to tense and relax your muscle groups, one after the other.

Use the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise

Your five senses can go a long way toward helping you return to the present moment during a flashback.

Try activating your senses by:

  • smelling something pleasant, like spices or a candle
  • splashing cool water on your face or running cold water through your hands
  • stroking a soft piece of fabric
  • standing barefoot in grass
  • eating something with a strong taste, like a pickle or lemon

You can also try the 5-4-3-2-1 mindfulness technique, which takes you through each of your senses, step by step.

Give it a try

  • 5: Name five things you see around you, like sofa, window, book, dog, door.
  • 4: Name four things you hear, like birds, water running, people talking, traffic.
  • 3: Name three things you feel on your skin or body, like the sun’s warmth, the cuffs of your socks, the softness of your shirt.
  • 2: Name two things you smell, like a neighbor’s barbecue, the incense in your bedroom, or your basil plant.
  • 1: Name something you can taste, like the coffee you just drank or the gum in your mouth.

Remind yourself that you’re having a flashback

Flashbacks can feel overwhelming because they seem so real.

Remembering that the experience does not, in fact, reflect your current reality can make that distress more bearable.

If you get nightmares from time to time, maybe you’ve learned to wake yourself by repeating, “It’s just a dream. ” This exercise involves a similar approach.

Try telling yourself, as many times as it takes, “This is a flashback. I’m remembering what happened before. It’s not happening now.”

Remember you’re safe now

Simply knowing you’re having a flashback can help you feel a little safer, but a reminder never hurts.

You can remind yourself that you’re safe and secure by repeating things like:

  • “I’m afraid, but I’m safe.”
  • “It’s over. I made it through.”
  • “I’m safe at home. I’m not in danger.”
  • “These memories are painful, but they can’t hurt me.”

If you have a difficult time remembering these calming phrases while in the grip of a flashback, consider jotting down a few reminder statements after the flashback passes.

Practicing them ahead of time can help you learn to reach for them automatically during a flashback.

If safety mantras don’t help you feel more secure, try boosting your sense of security by:

  • holding or stroking your pet
  • grabbing your favorite blanket and curling up under it
  • locking your bedroom door

While you can’t always prevent flashbacks, learning to recognize some of the situations that trigger them can make a big difference.

Flashback prompts can include any specific words, sounds, smells, or visual imagery you associate with the trauma you experienced. This will be very unique to you and your experience.

Some examples may be:

  • If you experienced violence from a former partner, smelling their preferred brand of soap could lead to a flashback.
  • If your parents shouted at or hurt you after drinking, hearing people raise their voices while drinking might bring forth emotions you experienced as a child.

Keeping a flashback journal can also help, since writing about it afterward could help you identify triggers leading up to it.

What’s more, journaling can also help you pay attention to any changes in recurring flashbacks, such as new emotions or visual details.

Grounding techniques can help you stay in the present and remember you’re safe during a flashback.

However, to reduce or prevent flashbacks entirely, it’s highly advisable that you work with a trained therapist.

Flashbacks are some of the many symptoms of PTSD, and it may be a good idea to start a comprehensive treatment plan.

In therapy, you can:

  • learn to recognize triggers and come up with productive ways to navigate them
  • begin to process and work through the trauma you experienced
  • explore healthy boundaries that help you feel safer in relationships
  • learn to navigate flashbacks with less fear and distress

You can read more about therapy for trauma and PTSD.

A therapist can also help you address any related mental health symptoms, including depression, anxiety, or obsessions and compulsions.

This list of resources may help you seek the support you need:

  • American Psychiatric Association’s Find a Psychiatrist tool
  • American Psychological Association’s Find a Psychologist tool
  • Asian Mental Health Collective’s therapist directory
  • Association of Black Psychologists’ Find a Psychologist tool
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness Helplines and Support Tools
  • National Institute of Mental Health’s Helpline Directory
  • National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
  • Inclusive Therapists

Grief Worksheets to Cope with Loss in Healthy Ways

Grief Focused Worksheets Can Be a Great Starting Tool Stages of MourningChildren, teens, and adults can benefit from spending some time working on the grief worksheets.

Using Grief Worksheet Steps to Handle Losses

Grief Worksheets can help you through the grief process. Use the grief worksheets to better understand your unique grieving process and to process your memories and thoughts about the person who has passed away. You can also bring these worksheets to your therapist or counselor, if you see one, as an additional tool.

  • Be aware that everyone will grieve differently, and children, teens, and adults may present their emotional experience differently.
  • Grief Worksheets can help you understand your unique grief process by facilitating your connection with your emotions as well as your physical manifestations of grief.
  • These worksheets can also help you identify your strengths and other possible support resources you can use during this difficult time.
  • Coping with teen grief in healthy ways
  • Healthy ways to deal with the death of a loved one
  • How to deal with anger, the grief stage

The worksheets cannot and should not be used as a substitute for 11 places to find free grief counseling if a person is experiencing extreme survival difficulties. To use the worksheets for yourself or a loved one, simply click and download using the Adobe Printables Guide for more help if needed.

Grief Therapy Worksheets for Adults

Adults may feel pressure to save when someone close to them dies. You may have other people relying on you and feel like you have no way to release what you are going through or don't know how to do it in a healthy way.

Understanding My Grief Printout

This printable worksheet is best for adults who would like to better understand their current triggers and process their emotional experiences.

Why I miss you

This printable document is designed to help adults who want to learn more about their relationship with a deceased loved one and improve their internal resources to cope.

Teen worksheets

Teens may feel uncomfortable dealing with teenage grief in healthy ways because they may not be sure they should act like adults or like children. Using a grief worksheet can help guide their process so they can better understand themselves, use their internal coping mechanisms, and identify their strengths during this emotionally draining time.

How do I go through the stages of grief?

Printable Letter to Someone I Miss

This worksheet about a teenager's grief is an open letter format for processing and reading the memories of a loved one who has passed away.

Worksheets for children

Children may express their grief differently than adolescents and adults. They may feel more physical tension and struggle to understand why they feel certain feelings. Normalizing their experiences and giving them the tools they need to process their emotions can go a long way in speeding up the grieving process. The following worksheets are designed to help identify emotions and process their grief. Once completed, you can use these worksheets to guide How to explain death and dying to children about what they are going through.

Revealing My Emotions printout

This grief sheet for children is designed to help children identify emotions and connect with themselves when they are experiencing the loss of a loved one.

Processing My Loss Print

This grief worksheet for children focuses on identifying emotions, remembering special memories, and drawing something that reminds them of their loved one.

Finding suitable support

Grief worksheets can help children, teens and adults when it comes to better understanding their own grief process and identifying inner strengths that can help during this painful time. The worksheets can be used in conjunction with the 15 Ways to Get Help and Support groups to help you understand and pinpoint coping strategies.

Checklist - Pererabotka newspaper, No. 13 (186), December 2022

Pre-New Year issue of the Pererabotka newspaper is a family issue: we decorate the main Christmas tree together, accept and give congratulations, cook our favorite dishes, find out the future and admire the bunnies and snowflakes.

checklist

Lightweight

We have prepared a list of pre-holiday tasks that will help you get in the mood for the New Year and understand that you have everything under control and you have not forgotten anything!

Issue No. 13 (186) December 2022

corporate newspaper

Preparing for the New Year is a pleasant but troublesome business. The head is spinning as soon as you start thinking about all the upcoming things. And I want the holiday to be joyful, easy and leave only pleasant memories. We've prepared a list of pre-holiday tasks so you don't forget anything!

Checklist: don't forget anything

At work

Finish everything before "We're late!"

December is a strange month when tasks arrive even from a fax that was turned off a hundred years ago. And each with the term "yesterday" and the note "important!". It may not be possible to manage everything, but it may not be necessary - just prioritize and try to maintain peace of mind.

Bring a sweet gift to a child (maybe not all)

On New Year's Eve, we traditionally receive sweet gifts for children at work. Every child impatiently waits for the moment when they receive the cherished sweets, but it is not at all necessary to give them away completely, you can save a little for yourself ... Feel like in childhood!

Compete in the best Christmas toy

Every family has a Christmas tree toy that is passed down from generation to generation. She is treated with special trepidation and carefully hung in the most prominent place. So why not arrange a Christmas decorations festival at work, where everyone will talk about their family heirloom and share its story?

Toy stories

Organize a Secret Santa

Choosing a gift for your family and friends is not an easy task, not to mention colleagues… To make this process easier and more fun, we recommend playing Secret Santa. The principle is extremely simple: each employee pulls out a piece of paper with the name of one of the colleagues to whom he will give a gift, but keeps it secret. The intrigue lasts until the day of presentation and adds excitement to this pre-holiday season.

Decorate the office

Festive decoration creates a special atmosphere in the office. Decorated desktops, walls, lamps and decorative elements will help you feel the approaching New Year to the fullest. Let every working day give a pre-holiday mood!

Photo: giphy.com

Checklist: do not forget anything

At home, with family

Buy gifts for everyone (even distant relatives) brother on the paternal side. New Year is the most family and warmest holiday, so do not forget to please your relatives, even if they are several thousand kilometers away from you.

Go sledding and skating with the kids

Winter is the time for fun and exciting entertainment! It's time to get ice rinks, sleds and skates from the mezzanines, and then run to the nearest hill or go on an adventure to the city ice rink. Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy the winter season and get close to your family during active leisure.

Take part in family battles: which tree to put up - artificial or live

In mid-December, many families face the question: what kind of Christmas tree to put up - live or artificial? Everyone stands on his own: someone wants the house to be filled with a fresh smell of pine needles, and someone is indignant at the needles scattered all over the rooms. But maybe this time there will be no disputes, and our article will make it easier for you to choose?

Spruce fight

Snatch something tasty from the table

Don't hide it: each of us dreams of trying a festive salad as soon as possible, biting off a sandwich with caviar or snatching a tempting piece of sausage from the table! Just make sure that no one catches you with the words: "Leave it, this is for the New Year!".

Clap the cracker before anyone else

Why wait for the chiming clock when you can blow up the cracker or light a sparkler at the first call of your heart! The main thing is that later you don’t have to get colorful pieces of paper from salads and other most unexpected places.

Photo: giphy.com

Checklist: don't forget anything

Alone with yourself

Write goals for the coming year

But in order to keep at least half of the promises, you need to plan the changes correctly. Choose an evening and write a list that you will return to throughout the year. Remember that goals can be anything - trifling, ambitious and challenging yourself. The main thing is that each of them can be completed in new 365 days.

Come up with a New Year's wish and write it on a piece of paper

You may not believe in miracles and omens all year long, but not supporting this good tradition on a festive night will be a big omission! While vegetables for Olivier are boiling in the kitchen, sit down at the table and write a small wish on a piece of paper. Just don't forget to burn it and drink it along with champagne to the ringing chimes.

Play the song "Last Christmas" on repeat

The song you will definitely hear in the windows on the way to get a new bunch of tangerines.

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