A bereaved mum has shared her advice on how best to support parents who have lost their children this Christmas
Christmas is supposed to be a joyous time, where we eat too much food, play too many games, and laugh too loudly.
But, most importantly of all, it’s a time for family - which is why it can be so incredibly hard for parents who have tragically lost their children.
So how can we help them through the festive season?
By showing compassion to a bereaved heart, that’s how.
Check out: Abigail James' top 7 tips for healthy skin in winter
Abigail James' top 7 tips for healthy skin in winter (slider)
skin
1. Say goodbye to unnecessary chemicals
"Some fragrances and colours are skin irritants and have no actual benefits for the skin - they simply look and smell nice. "According to the research almost two thirds of British women are concerned about the chemicals in their personal care products so my advice would be to avoid unnecessary chemical ingredients and look for shower gels and deodorants that are kinder to skin - such as the Sanex Zero% range which is formulated with 0% colourants, 0% soap and 0% parabens."
2. Avoid low fat diets
"When it comes to holistic health, achieving a healthy balance is really important. Choose healthy fats for healthy cell function – this can be added into your diet through foods such as avocadoes, fish, nuts and seeds and plant oils such as flax and hemp. "Another tip is to ditch the processed margarines. If you're going to have butter then make it organic natural butter which has less synthetic ingredients."
3. Try light exercise
"Getting up and moving daily will boost circulation, and getting your muscles moving will increase your levels of 'happy' hormones or endorphins and blood flow. This in turn will give your skin a lovely healthy glow. "It doesn't matter whether it's a light stroll or training at the gym, as long as you're moving your skin will feel the benefits."
4. Get an early night
"Lack of sleep increases the visible appearance of ageing, such as dark circles caused by sluggish circulation."With that in mind say goodbye to your phone or tablet at least an hour before going to bed and try to get a good night's sleep – your skin will thank you for it."
5. Reduce sugar intake
"A high intake of sugar can cause an inflammatory reaction within the skin resulting in a whole host of skin conditions, from acne and rosacea to premature ageing and dry skin. "A little treat every now and then won't hurt, but try to keep an eye on your sugar levels if you're looking to keep skin healthy."
6. Curb the caffeine
"Too much coffee or caffeinated drinks can put extra stress on the liver and digestive system which impacts your body's natural detoxification process. "This build-up of toxins can have a negative effect on the health of your skin causing issues such as dry skin, redness and sensitivity."
7. Skincare shouldn't stop at your face
"There can often be a temptation to focus on the health of the skin on our faces but we must remember that the whole body is covered in skin which is the largest organ of your body – so we need to make sure we are giving it the care it deserves."Our skin absorbs a percentage of the products we apply, so choose products that are gentle on skin with natural moisturisers."
In fact there are five ways in which we can help ease the pain for a grieving mother or father this Christmas, which were shared in a popular Facebook post last year.
And the advice, which is sweet, simple, and to-the-point, really helps others to understand how best to help bereaved parents through what is sure to be a difficult time.
It advises..
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Include the baby/child’s name in your holiday card. Dude, it’s easy! All you have to say is ‘remembering…. with you.’
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Be awesome and accept that they may not want to attend the family Christmas lunch this year.
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You don’t have to think of something incredibly profound to say to them. Just be there to listen to them.
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Give a gift to a disadvantaged child in memory of your friend’s baby.
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Most of the time a bereaved parent just wants to know that their baby or child is not forgotten, and that their short life meant something. So speak their child’s name. You are not reminding your friend or family member of their loss.
Trust me, they have not forgotten
Showing compassion to a bereaved heart this holiday season...May this season be gentle, and provide an abundance of blessings!
WATCH: What you should NEVER say to someone who's experienced baby loss
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