Overcoming Grief: Simple Steps to Finding Healing
Experiencing grief is, unfortunately, a staple of the human journey. While it’s normal to feel grief, you mustn’t get stuck there – it can and does have a detrimental impact on your health, reports Harvard Health Publishing. Left unchecked, your grief could stop you from living a normal life and even cause health problems – like burnout from stress and depression.
In this mini-guide presented by Couples Counseling of Central Florida, we offer some background information on grief and advice on how you could heal from it.
What is grief and how do you process it?
Grief, says the American Academy of Family Physicians, is the emotions you experience when you lose something or someone important to you. Loss is always difficult to accept. Processing grief involves accepting the loss and adjusting to it – which can be a difficult, time-consuming process that requires active trying on your part. You will go through five stages along the way – denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
Simple ways to heal from grief
The more you actively try, the easier it will be to heal. Here are some suggestions:
1. Take care of your mind
When you experience a loss – especially if it’s devastating – it’s normal to think dark thoughts. While you can’t get rid of dark thoughts, nor is it entirely healthy to do so, you must maintain your mental balance so you can function and heal. Some suggestions are learning to meditate, going out in nature, and doing something restful that calms you down. Believe it or not, but keeping your home clean and clutter-free can go a long way toward reducing stress and anxiety. A good deep-cleaning — especially if it’s been a while — can do wonders for your mood.
2. Look after your body
Your physical state is intimately connected to your mental and emotional state. When you cater to your body and its physical needs, it automatically has a feel-good, healing effect on these two other connected aspects. Consider hiking, bicycle riding, yoga, and other forms of exercise to tend to your body. Being immersed in physical activity also tends to take your mind off things.
3. Relieve work stress to avoid burnout
Being in a stressful job when you’re experiencing grief is like having oil thrown on a fire. You should look at ways to relieve stress, as much as possible, so you have some breathing room and a chance to heal. Otherwise, the excess stress could lead to burnout. Some ways to combat chronic fatigue are making time to do nothing, setting expectations, establishing boundaries, valuing your time, and acknowledging your emotions.
4. Get more sleep
When you’re feeling grief and your mind is restless, it may be difficult for you to fall sleep. You may get less sleep than normal or even wake up several times at night. Sleep is essential to your recovery, though, so you must correct this deficit as soon as possible. Some ways to get more sleep include taking a warm shower before bed, reading a book to relax your mind, eating well in advance of bedtime, having screen-free time, listening to music, and getting a white noise machine.
5. Let more light into your home
Natural light, says ElementalGreen, is good for you in various ways. It is a known natural “antidepressant” – you’ve likely noticed it’s hard to be sad when it’s sunny and bright. Furthermore, it reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, gives you more energy, aids your sleep, helps you to lose weight, naturally raises happiness, and more. You’re not alone, and you can always ask for help if you need it. Talking about your experience with a counselor can lighten your burden, make you feel better, and hasten your healing.
Conclusion
Your grief may seem overwhelming at the moment – and that’s okay. Acknowledge how you’re feeling, without judgment. Try to be present when you experience grief and don’t push it away or neglect the feeling – that will only delay the healing. Remind yourself that this, too, shall pass. Be kind to yourself and you will, eventually, get better.