In a recent post about bereavement care, we mentioned the importance of self-care. What forms can self-care take during the grieving process? Below are some simple but effective suggestions.

1. Welcome Your Grief. One of the single most important things you can do is give yourself space to feel whatever you are feeling. All kinds of emotions can come up when you are grieving, sadness, anger, despair, guilt, or even relief. Some of these emotions may be confusing or upsetting. But it is important to allow yourself to welcome your grief and allow yourself to express your grief. Remember, it is your grief, your journey and everyone express grief differently.
2. Rest when you need to. Grief can be very draining emotionally and physically. Give yourself time to rest when you need it. That could mean lying down for a few minutes several times a day or taking another kind of break (allowing time to just breath). It is okay to slow down your productivity and put less important things to the side until you can pick them up again.
3. Stay connected with loved ones. When you are grieving, it is easy to pull away from others. Grief can be an isolating experience, as you may feel no one can grasp your pain, remember your grief is different than anyone else’s. But your friends and family can be pillars of support for you. Take time to connect with people who care for you and respect your grief.
4. Allow yourself to ask for and accept help. Our culture encourages self-reliance, and many of us grow up being taught it is not okay to need or ask for help. But asking for and accepting help is often what allows us to heal and get back to living with greater self-reliance. So, do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it, or to accept help that is offered to you while you are grieving.
5. Bring back old routines in new ways. Old routines can be a source of comfort for many people while grieving. For others though, it may not feel right to return to old routines exactly as they were. If that is the case for you, try picking up old routines and hobbies, but make some changes to mark the passing of your loved one.
6. Engage with what brings you comfort. While you are grieving, you may find something that comforts you. Maybe it’s a particular song, or a prayer, or time spent in nature, or something else altogether. Whatever it is, give yourself time to engage with that thing. At the same time be careful, old habits can hurt one’s healing. Taking medications, alcohol, sleeping aids and other things may do more harm than good. Please see a medical professional before taking any medication or other things that could do more harm.
7. A New You. Often people will wonder when I get back to the old me, the way it use to be. When you lose someone close to you, your whole world changes, and so do you. You will get back to feeling like yourself. But just as your old routines may transform, so will you. Give yourself permission to be a new version of yourself.

Let Our Bereavement Counselors Help

Golden Rule Hospice offers bereavement care and hospice services throughout the Atlanta area. Your grief counselor can give you personalized recommendations for self care during this time. To learn how we can help you and your loved ones, please give us a call at (470) 395-6567.