Ways To Help You Heal After the Loss of a Loved One

Life can dramatically shift after we lose a loved one. It is important to adopt healing techniques to help you endure the mourning process. Increase your resilience by incorporating ways to help you heal after the loss of a loved one, like acts of self-care and mindfulness. Treat yourself with the kindness and grace you deserve by following tips for helpful grief management.

Allow Yourself To Grieve

One of the healthiest ways to cope with emotions is to feel them. Give yourself the time and space to sort through everything you’re feeling following the loss of a cherished person. Most people experience grief in five stages, which are:

1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance

The mourning process is unique to the individual, and not everyone’s coping mechanisms will look the same. Since emotion ebbs and flows, there is no predetermined period that you are supposed to go through the stages in.

Make Positive Lifestyle Choices

When juggling overwhelming emotions, you may feel the temptation to put healthy lifestyle choices on the back burner. Instead, engage in self-care by creating an adequate sleep schedule, eating nourishing foods, and getting your body moving. Taking these steps to care for yourself has proven to decrease depressive moods, making it one of the most beneficial ways to help you heal after the loss of a loved one.

Stay in Touch With Family and Friends

Chances are, you are not the only one mourning your loved one. In the age of coronavirus, you may feel isolated, given that you likely can’t surround yourself with loved ones. Reach out to family and friends via video chat or phone call to talk through both of your experiences with the loss.

Regularly communicate with trusted loved ones to ensure you are staying on track with self-care. Many mental and emotional benefits come from even the briefest of social interaction. Get in touch with family and friends to delegate funeral service responsibilities, such as ordering commemorative funeral acknowledgment cards and writing the obituary.

Find New Hobbies

Hobbies are an excellent way to shift our focus from sadness to an activity we enjoy. They are a considerably healthy addition to the grieving process because they demand engagement. Swim, bike, attend comedy shows, or take an interesting college course—any activity that piques your interest. Create multiple new pastimes to diversify your therapeutic activities.

Talk With a Professional if Necessary

The emotions you derive from losing a loved one are deep and complex. If you find yourself struggling to heal, consider speaking with a mental health professional. Talk to your primary doctor; they can connect you with an expert who can assist your grieving process.