How to Take Care of Yourself While Grieving

Grief results from many causes, including death, divorce, disability, or loss of a job, and is characterized by difficulty sleeping, frequent crying, loss of appetite, and problems remaining focused and making decisions. Symptoms differ from one person to the next, and some people take longer to get over grieving than others. Whatever you may be grieving over, take care of yourself while you do so; if you let your health suffer from grieving, you will take longer to recover.

Instructions

• 1

  Make sure you eat healthfully. Don't skip meals and maintain a balanced diet. Eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains and avoid processed foods, which are less nutritious than fresh. Avoid drinking alcohol, which is a depressant that will end up making you feel worse.

• 2

  Join a gym and engage in resistance weight training. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, resistance training performed by people between the ages of 60 and older alleviated some of their depression, and they were able to sleep better afterward. Engage in other forms of exercise, such as working in your garden and playing ball with your dog if you have one. Practice meditation or yoga, which improve well being.

• 3

  Distract yourself by volunteering. The act will not only make you feel better, but also put you in the company of others, which may help you connect with people who can give you support.

• 4

  Treat yourself with kindness every day. When you get home from work, relax for a few minutes and make yourself a soothing cup of decaffeinated coffee or tea. Get outside in nature. Do not overwhelm yourself with tasks that can wait. If you have a heavy workload at your job, consult with your manager about having a coworker help you while you are grieving. Also ask your manager if you can have some time off if you feel you need it.

• 5

  Keep a journal. Recording your feelings in a journal can help you process your emotions more effectively.

• 6

  Talk to people, be they friends or family, fellow churchgoers, your doctor, or a counselor.