Self-Care for Grievers

It is essential to care for yourself while you are grieving, and often, grieving people make no time to care for themselves at a time when they really need it.

We love these suggestions from https://www.essentiahealth.org/.  See if any of them appeal to you and check out the other links below.

1. Lie in the sun streaming in through your windows. Bathe in the sun.
2. Designate an afternoon or evening and take the phone off the hook, and meditate.
3. When you are worried or obsessing, set up a specific time of the day to “worry” for 20 minutes. Set a timer. When the time is up, do something rewarding for yourself.
4. Do something you’re good at. It is important to immerse yourself in your skills and abilities, even if the outcome isn’t up to par (trouble concentrating and decreased zest are common in grief).
5. Comfort yourself by taking a warm bath using your favorite scents, and burn aromatherapy candles.
6. Wrap up in a warm blanket. Put on relaxing music or relaxation tapes and sip your favorite tea or hot chocolate.
7. Play music that matches your mood. Feel understood by the songs and singers that share your experiences.
8. Especially when you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, forget about making to-do lists. Instead, at the close of each day, make a list of what’s been done.
9. Find something to care for, such as a garden or a pet.
10. Eat nourishing meals each day, even if the food doesn’t hit your taste buds like you’re used to.
11. Make a fire in the fireplace and do some stretching and focus on yourself.
12. Breathe – really breathe! Take deep breaths in through the nose and slowly out through the mouth.
13. Say “No” to something…and “yes” to yourself.
14. Try gentle exercise like yoga, tai chi, or walking.
15. Spend some time in nature.
16. Make a memory box, collage, or journal to store your thoughts and memories
17. Be realistic about your limitations.
18. Acknowledge when you are attempting to play the part of “superman/superwoman.”
19. Learn to visualize.
20. Share your feelings. Be courageous enough to accept the help and support of others.
21. Avoid isolating.
22. Draw on spiritual support from others and from your beliefs about a higher power.