5 Self Care Ideas During Times Of Grief
Last August I lost my dad. We weren’t close, but I still went through a tough grieving process. I thought I would share some things that I learned during this time.
GRIEF
Experts say that the most important self-care idea during times of grief is to surround yourself with people who love and care about you.
If you can’t be with them physically, technology has you covered. You can video call via Skype or Zoom and watch a movie together virtually just to feel comforted by their presence.
Video calling is not an option? Then the next best thing would be a regular phone call. Ask them to listen as you vent if that’s what you need to do. Gather your courage and ask them out for lunch. Think of it as a gentle reminder to let others know you’re okay with going out and being in the company of friends and family.
Go Outside
Find a bench in the park and just sit. Enjoy the smells and sounds around you. Look up at the clouds and listen to the birds chirping. Let your mind wander as you think about anything you want or nothing at all.
Nature has this way of relieving stress and anxiety while allowing us to feel connected to something bigger than ourselves. In fact, many studies have proven that being around nature regularly can help reduce blood pressure, stress, and anxiety.
If you’re up to it, you can go hiking or biking. It’ll give you a chance to get your mind off your grief. You’ll get a good stress-relieving workout and stimulate the release of feel-good hormones in the process.
Start Journaling
Writing has been hailed as one of the top self-care ideas ever! Whether you’re going through stress, depression, or grief, writing is how you gain perspective on your thoughts and emotions.
Some people like to journal by writing notes and letters to their loved ones who have passed on. This is a great way to work through your pain rather than avoid it. Plus, it helps bring closure, which is an essential part of the grieving process.
Alternatively, other people prefer to just let their stream of consciousness take over and simply jot down the thoughts that pop up in their heads. Then, when they read it back to themselves, they’re able to reframe their thought process and gain a clearer perspective on life that they otherwise can not.
Seeing your thoughts from a different viewpoint allows you to be less critical of yourself. As a result, you become kinder and more empathetic to yourself, which enables you to be your number one supporter and advocate.
Watch or Read Something Funny
Reading is a great way to take your mind off things for a while. Some people read books about death and losing loved ones, while others read non-fiction books about grief itself.
There’s also lots of research that reveals that reading a funny book can help ease some of your negative feelings and sorrow.
If you can’t get yourself to pick up a book and read, then watch a funny sitcom. Shows that make us laugh seem to comfort us and take us to simpler times.
Join A Bereavement Support Group
Fortunately, you can find plenty of grief support groups in your area. Just being with a group of people who understand how you feel can be incredibly insightful!
You don’t even have to talk if you don’t want to. Just sitting there and listening to others sharing memories, emotions, and thoughts can be a valuable part of your grieving process.
It’s also a great way for you to learn how to accept your range of emotions. Many people become afraid of what they feel and try to stifle or ignore them in the hope they’ll go away on their own. But that only makes them more potent and overpowering.
So, having that support and knowing you’re not alone can really help you embrace your feelings rather than push them away.
Another fun thing that’s been popping up is groups that focus on grief and something else. For example, there are grief groups that double as book clubs or do bicycle rides.
This way, you enjoy a couple of hours each week with a group of people who share a common interest that goes beyond bereavement. You get to share your emotions and make new friends.
