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Jacki Waters

Caring for Yourself While Grieving the Loss of a Loved One

Updated: Oct 14, 2022

Losing someone you love is unlike any other feeling, and grief does not simply disappear. It will re-emerge throughout your life, so it is important to understand what it looks like and how to manage it. Poor motivation, anxiety, and depression are all symptoms of grief. However, setting yourself healthy goals is essential during your grieving process. Here are some helpful tips to guide you through your grief journey.


Care for Your Body


Grief can have a significant impact on your physical health, but fortunately, there are ways that you can care for your body that will also ease your mind. One physical issue is sleep. Poor sleep can lead to anxiety, depression, and physical ailments, which can compound the effects of grief. If you experience insomnia, the Mindfulness and Grief Institute recommends creating a sleep sanctuary, turning off electronics at least one hour before bed, and getting regular exercise.


Although poor sleep is a common symptom of grief, you should focus on sleep improvement. You can do this through meditation, exercise, and breathing techniques. When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins. Your endorphins give you energy and make you feel happier during the day. What’s more, you don’t need to exercise for hours each day. You only require a short walk in the morning to boost your mental well-being.


Care for Your Mind


Meditation isn’t easy, especially when you first begin. Letting go of your thoughts makes you feel physically uncomfortable. Still, meditation is a proven method of mental healing. You can use a guided meditation app or website to get yourself started. These sessions usually also involve guided breathing, which can help if you find yourself in a state of anxiety or panic over your loss. Even if you’re struggling to meditate, it’s important to keep trying. It does get easier.


Be sure your home is conducive to meditation and relaxing by creating a positive and open environment. This involves removing sources of stress, such as clutter, as well as taking steps like bringing in a little Mother Nature with a few houseplants and artwork or framed photos of nature scenes. You can also use an oil diffuser that emits calming scents like lavender to help set the stage.


Music can also help you through your grief. According to Pathways, music taps into the pleasure center of our brain, but it also allows us to access an emotional center of our being. Music is often tied to memories, so listening to the right songs can allow intentional grief along with remembrance and love. Music is often used at memorial and funeral services for these reasons. You can find a great peace when listening to a meaningful song while scattering your loved one’s ashes in a beautiful location, like the California Redwoods.


That deep sense of remembrance can also make it difficult to be together with the people we love, but spending time with others is incredibly important to your mental health and ability to manage your grief. Even if there are obstacles, make the time to be with others because if you spend time with your loved ones, handling your grief becomes easier. They often understand your pain, and they often know how to help you through the trauma.



Allow Yourself to Change


One aspect of the grieving process is self-grief. It’s important to visualize yourself after the loss of a loved one, and understanding your life in the shadow of loss can allow you to realize new aspects of yourself. This may include releasing old traumas and freeing yourself of what may have held you back in the past. Overcoming your grief in this light can even allow you to reinvent yourself for the better.


Grieving can also help you to evaluate your life choices, including your career aspirations. Placing your energy into going back to school or starting a business might be the perfect way to handle your grief. Getting an MBA - Masters of Business Administration - online can have many benefits. Although you are not in a physical classroom, you are put into community with other people on a regular basis, which encourages socialization and networking. Plus, you’ll develop your business skills, which you can apply at a new job or even a new entrepreneurial venture.


If you choose to start your own business, here are some tips:

  • Select your lifestyle and financial goals. Starting a business without lifestyle and financial goals is challenging. Sit down and evaluate your goals.

  • Pick your business structure. Decide between a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or an LLC. For example, LLCs offer tax advantages and limited liability. Although laws differ between states and lawyers are expensive, you can avoid huge fees by using a formation service.

  • Pick your customers. Sit down and choose your customers. Once you’ve picked your target market, you can start your marketing strategy.

  • Create a business bank account. Business bank accounts offer financial protection and fewer potential tax problems.

Begin Your Healing Journey Today


Grieving is hard for everyone, but there are ways to make your journey a little more bearable. Make time to be with others, and never apologize for your grief. It is all part of the process. Give yourself the opportunity to say goodbye in a positive way by scattering your loved one’s ashes in a place that is significant to you both. Whether it is by land or by sea, the literal and metaphorical release will help you on your journey to say goodbye. Then, you can focus on healing your body and mind, and leading yourself into new and healthy goals.




References


“The Benefits of Music for Grief: Pathways.” Pathways Home Health and Hospice, 25 Apr. 2022, https://pathwayshealth.org/grief-support/the-benefits-of-music-for-grief/.


Lief, Judy. “A 12-Minute Meditation for Grief and Loss.” Mindful, 23 Mar. 2022, https://www.mindful.org/a-10-minute-guided-meditation-for-working-with-grief/.


“Online Master of Business Administration MBA Degree Programs: WGU.” Western Governors University, 9 Aug. 2022, https://www.wgu.edu/online-business-degrees/mba-masters-business-administration-program.html.




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