How to Manage Your Daily Life When You Are Grieving

After experiencing the loss of someone or something, you grieve. You may feel waves of shock, anger, sadness or guilt. In 1969, psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross discerned five stages of grief, which include denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. However, people don't always progress through these stages in sequential order, or they may skip a stage. Because individuals suffer from loss differently, the management of daily life activities depends on the severity and symptoms of the grieving.

Instructions

• 1

  Allot enough time in your day to sleep. While your mind needs down-time to process feelings of loss, your body requires rest and a break from the stress. Watch television, take soothing baths, or engage in meditation or guided-imagery exercises to relax. According to the website WebMD, guided imagery is a program of directed thoughts and suggestions that guide your imagination toward a relaxed, focused state. You can use an instructor, tapes, or scripts to help you through this process.

• 2

  Nourish your body with healthy food, and maintain a balanced diet. Avoid stimulants, such as strong coffee or sugar-laden snacks, smoking, and over-the-counter sleeping aids. Eat small amounts of food frequently if you experience a lack of appetite.

• 3

  Exercise daily or several times per week to manage physical stress and maintain your health. Take a brisk walk or jog if you're feeling angry or frustrated. Enroll in a yoga class or join a swimming club. Moving your body in a rigorous way releases endorphins, or the body's natural highs, and can provide relief during the grieving process.

• 4

  Do not isolate from your normal support network and activities. Maintain your schedule, and show up to community activities or church functions to the best of your abilities while grieving. Don't berate yourself if you're not overtly cheerful or helpful during this time. However, staying present and showing up for scheduled activities may help the healing process.

• 5

  Identify a bereavement group that can provide support and a regular point of contact with other empathetic people. Seek appropriate help to process unresolved feelings over your loss. Avoid short-term fixes, such as alcohol or thrill-seeking. They may provide temporary escape but retard the healing process.

• 6

  Find a therapist or get counseling if the grieving is paralyzing you or causing you severe anxiety or illness in your daily life. Seek medicine for insomnia or anxiety during the initial stages of grieving if these symptoms hinder your ability to function. Note that some health professionals disagree with the use of sedatives during the grieving process, so use discretion when consulting with your doctor.

• 7

  Call 911, a suicide hotline, a family member or friend, and seek immediate help if you feel extreme hopelessness or despair.