Healthful Healing Tips During Times of Grief

When you know what triggers stress in your life, you can actively work to reduce or even eliminate stress and grief. What’s more, you will find it easier to set up new routines as you press forward to overcome grief.

As you begin to heal and get used to the idea of a new normal, it’s important to set up a routine that helps you feel like you are still in control of your life.

It might sound silly, but it can help to set a schedule for important daily tasks, such as going to work or school, taking care of your responsibilities, and eating meals. You might also want to set a routine for checking email and answering phone calls.



Routines help you feel like you have a structure to your day, and they give you something to focus on when you are otherwise feeling overwhelmed. Setting up a routine can also help you feel less alone, as it can help you feel like you are still connected with others.

Adding physical activities to your daily routine is not only good for your overall health, but it can be highly beneficial when grieving. Even if you’re not a fitness junkie, extra movement every day can go a long way toward boosting your energy and your health. Take the stairs and not the elevator, walk or bike to work, take a walk on your lunch break and make multiple trips when bringing in the groceries.

Volunteering to help others can help you feel like you are contributing something to society. You can also volunteer at a place that is meaningful to you, such as a homeless shelter or a senior citizen center. Or you can volunteer by helping someone in your family, such as a sibling or parent who is experiencing a hard time.

Writing a letter or journal entry can help you process your feelings and get in touch with your inner self. You don’t have to share your letter or journal entry with anyone else but yourself.

Spending time with someone you care about can help you feel less alone and less empty. It can also help you feel connected with others again. It’s important to remember that it’s OK to socialize, even if you feel like you want to be alone.

If you're struggling through grief while working a job you hate, a new job may be the key to helping you move forward. Preparing a new resume is the ideal first step. It's an opportunity to reflect on your skills and accomplishments, and to think about the future. And you can build your resume quickly with a template that offers fresh designs with professional flair and without the exorbitant cost.

If your home is cluttered and messy, it can cause you to feel heavy and uncomfortable. This can lead to anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions. Make changes to your home so it becomes a place where you can relax and take time to recover. Declutter and reorganize, add plants, change the decor, and let in more light.

Consider rearranging closets and cabinets and getting rid of clutter in general. In addition, think about making a serene space where you can meditate comfortably.

There’s no right way to grieve, but there are ways to make the process feel less overwhelming. Small changes and baby steps can put you on the path to healing.

If you need assistance with planning for death or making arrangement for a funeral, The Co-op Funeral Home of People's Memorial can help. You can get in touch with us by calling (206) 529-3800 or emailing info@funerals.coop.

Written by Lucille Rosetti at www.thebereaved.org