Grief and loss are two very natural emotions that every person will, inevitably, experience at some point, but they can feel very, very unnatural to the grieving person. Harsh feelings of sadness, emptiness dumbness, guilt and blame tend to bear down on the bereaved like an anvil, and often start to deteriorate the physical and mental health of the bereaved as well. Self-care when dealing with loss is incredibly important, and can in fact help you to heal naturally and peacefully.
Below, we have highlighted some importance self-care considerations to keep in mind when dealing with loss. Whether you are looking for tips for yourself or for a loved one, remember the following:
Patience
First, one needs to have patience with the grieving self. The experience of loss and grief is different for everyone, and there is no right or wrong way to go through the process. How long will you be grieving? Well, how long is a piece of string? It is most important to allow yourself to go through grief, without constricting your emotions.
It can be helpful to imagine how you would care for a friend who was grieving, and then extending that care to yourself. Allow yourself some flexibility in what you can achieve, and how you will heal.
Healthy Diet and Hydration
It can be difficult to maintain a healthy and balanced diet under normal circumstances, but it becomes especially important when grieving. The body and mind are under stress and they require good fuel to stay running. Regular, healthy meals are essential, and plenty of water will help restore some balance to your body.
Large amounts of caffeine and alcohol are not advised. Alcohol can help to numb the difficulties of grief temporarily, but it creates an unhealthy coping mechanism and disrupts the sleep cycle. Speaking of which…
Sufficient Sleep
Sleep is an incredibly important self-care consideration in more ways than one. Not only do you need to try get enough sleep, you need to try not get too much sleep. As discussed, every individual experiences grief differently: some people experience grief-related insomnia, whist others may oversleep from depression. It can be beneficial to sleep more than you usually do when grieving, but when the amount of sleep starts to negatively impact your daily life, draw the line.
Tip: Expose yourself to sunlight during the day to encourage your circadian rhythms and improve the ease and quality of your sleep.
Checkups
It is best to go see your general practitioner for regular checkups after loss. Whilst grief is a natural process and not classified as an illness, it can be beneficial to have your health and healing professionally monitored. These checkups can help you manage preexisting conditions that you may feel less motivated to care for whilst grieving.
Grief also weakens the immune system, so you may be at risk of illness during this time. This is how a healthy diet, plenty of water, and regular medical advice can be beneficial.
Movement Motivation
Physical movement is highly beneficial for the grieving body, helping to release tension and pain from grief and stress, and releasing mood regulating hormones simultaneously. A simple leisurely stroll, a relaxed yoga session, or a moderate workout at the gym are all equally beneficial to the body.
A bonus of physical exercise is that it is known to contribute to improved sleep and mental stability, which are both as valuable as gold during such a difficult time. Click here for easy exercises to practice whilst grieving.
Connection
Grief and isolation go hand in hand, and not in a good way. Bereaved people tend to withdraw from others whilst they process and heal from the experience, but it mustn’t be underestimated how helpful and healing it can be to regularly connect with others whilst grieving. Go for a walk with a close friend, or have a meal with a family member. Take your dog to the park, too! It can feel like we are alone and without a support system when grieving, but more often than not we are just not observant of our subtle supporters. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for tangible assistance, such as help with cooking meals or doing the housework.
You can find more helpful and mindful articles about grief, love and loss on our blog. We are passionate about helping you get through this experience in one piece. Stay strong.
