Caring for Yourself in the Aftermath of Loss
By Justin Black at Bereaving.net
Image via Pexels
We all lose people, but it never makes it any easier. Whether to death, a failed relationship, or another tragedy, grieving can take a toll on even the strongest among us, but we have to look forward because we still have life to live.
Today, Joanne Yoga shares a few practical tips on how to set goals for yourself and cope as you struggle with the profound loss.
Create a self-care plan.
It’s easy to lose sight of your own health and wellness in the wake of a tragedy that took someone you love. But you have to create a sustainable self-care plan. This could include simple steps, such as walking to run errands if you’re in a pedestrian-friendly area, planning your meal schedule, or simply enjoying some down time in a warm bath each night so you have time to reflect on where you are physically and emotionally.
Evaluate your sleep hygiene.
Many people experience insomnia and chronic sleeplessness during times of grief. Although your emotional pain is likely the main culprit, there could be underlying causes that keep you up at night. This could be anything from making a calming herbal tea (i.e. chamomile or lavender tea) before bedtime to sleeping in a quiet room when what you really need is white noise to settle your mind.
Set small goals for yourself.
While establishing a self-care plan and re-evaluating your sleep hygiene are great goals to strive for, there are plenty of other goals you can start with if those seem too much. The Montana Happy blog recommends setting goals that involve establishing friendships, exercising, and showing kindness.
Acknowledge your emotions.
Psych Central notes that deciphering your emotions is key to an overall healthier mental well-being. Practice emotional awareness, and you might be better able to wrap your head around your current situation. While that might not seem possible now, trust yourself, and know that grief tends to lessen over time.
Seek professional guidance.
If you find yourself unable to “shake” your feelings of extreme grief, seek professional help. Grief is an incredibly complex and overwhelming experience that can affect every aspect of your life.
Look for a professional counselor that specializes in bereavement. This is an individual who can provide support and guidance when you are at your lowest. The right therapist will be safe, nonjudgmental, and excel at helping you both express and process your emotions as you navigate the denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance that you may cycle in and out of throughout your life.
We all experience grief, but we don’t all react in the same ways. Regardless of how you choose to internalize, make a point to care for yourself by setting goals to help you reach your own definition of “okay.” Whether you choose to start a nonprofit to honor your loved one or seek professional help, make a point to prioritize sleep, acknowledge your emotions, and don’t forget about self-care.
Honor your loved one with an NPO.
There are few better ways to both honor your loved one and occupy your mind than forming a nonprofit organization to keep their memory alive. Your NPO might support the hospital, hospice, or other organization that helped them while they were living. It is a meaningful way to pay homage to one you love. If you’ve never set up a nonprofit before, know that it’s easier to apply for public funding, grants, and even fundraising opportunities when you’re set up legally.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to handle some basic business housekeeping tasks, like creating bylaws (this determines how the corporation is run), setting up meetings, establishing voting procedures, and knowing how to handle conflicts of interest.
Guiding yoga in multiple formats, Joanne Yoga not only teaches yoga but also co-creates unique experiences for each student. Connect with Joanne today to learn more!