6 Healthy Habits To Form While Grieving
Learning how to navigate life after losing someone you love is difficult. You must adjust to a new routine while grieving your lost loved one. The grieving process is different for everyone, but using these six habits can help you get through grief in a healthy way.
1. Develop a New Routine
Routines are often comforting, but sticking to your normal one may serve as a reminder that your loved one is gone. Starting a new routine can help you navigate your new normal. Try to make time for friends and family members. You should also schedule a relaxing activity each day. The ultimate goal is to provide you with some sense of normalcy while you go through the grieving process.
2. Combat Burnout
Your stress levels will probably be high while you are grieving the loss of a loved one. It's important to minimize stress as much as possible, and one thing you can do is battle workplace burnout. It can be tempting to throw yourself into work tasks to avoid thinking about your grief, but establishing clear boundaries is often a better idea. You can also start valuing your time and make space to acknowledge your emotions instead of bottling them up. It's okay to schedule a time to do nothing and grieve.
3. Improve Sleep Quality
According to one survey, 33% of Americans don't get enough sleep at night. Sleeplessness can plague anyone, but it often raises its ugly head for people who are grieving. Try to improve the quality of the sleep you get by setting a strict sleep schedule. You can also help by making your bedroom more suitable for high-quality sleep, so keep your space cool and dark. Listening to music is relaxing for some people. In severe cases, you can talk with your doctor to see if sleep aids are a good option to help you get back on track.
4. Enrich Your Future
Losing a loved one is a painful reminder that life is short. If you aren't satisfied with your current career, it is a good time to make a major life change by searching for a new position. Update your resume is an important birth step. You can use an online resume builder to find a free template and customize it with your own coffee.
5. Pursue Your Passions
If you have hobbies you enjoy but haven't had time to work on them, now is the time to pursue your passions. Try to spend at least 30 minutes a day doing something you truly enjoy. Some ideas for hobbies are:
- Cross-stitching
- Writing
- Reading
- Putting puzzles together
- Dancing
- Journaling
6. Consume Healthy Foods
Many people turn to comfort foods when they aren't feeling their best, so you may find yourself reaching for processed foods that are full of sugar and have few nutrients when you are grieving. Indulging in these foods occasionally is okay, but consuming a diet full of nutritious foods can help you feed better mentally, emotionally and physically. Try to eat more whole food such as fruits, lean proteins, and vegetables to see how your diet affects your mood.
Dealing with grief is hard. Adjusting to life without someone you love is devastating, so it's vital to take measures to navigate the grieving process in a healthy way. These tips can help.
Written by Sara Bailey (www.thewidow.net)
