6 Ways to Practice Self-Care After Loss
No matter who you are, loss is an unavoidable part of life. Be it a beloved family member, cherished pet or treasured companion. When tragedy strikes and flips your world upside down, feelings of doubt are inevitable. You can quickly become inundated with grief and sorrow. It’s during these moments that it becomes increasingly important to practice self-care. Here are five tips to help you cope with loss.
1. Reach out to your support system
Whether it be family, friends or colleagues, let those closest to you know that you may need some extra love and support while you grieve. Your support system can provide additional stability and help to keep you afloat during difficult times.
2. Engage in physical activity
Exercise is a great way to release any built up tension and stress. Whether it’s walking, running or yoga, engaging in physical activity will help to clear your mind and give you some time to reflect on your loss.
3. Spend time with nature
Taking a walk in the park or meditating on the beach can help to bring about feelings of peace and tranquility. Nature has a special way of reminding us that life is both precious and fragile, yet strong enough to endure almost anything.
4. Talk openly about what you’re feeling
Don’t be afraid to express your feelings openly, even if it’s difficult. Whether you choose to journal or talk with a friend, talking openly about your emotions can help you process and understand what you are going through.
5. Take time off
Give yourself permission to take some time away from the world. Try to find joy in the simple things. Watch a movie, read a book or simply take a nap. Allowing yourself time to process and grieve is vital for your healing journey.
6. Give yourself time to mourn and process
Grief doesn’t work within parameters and its timeline is entirely up to you. Don’t be hard on yourself for wanting to “rush through it” or return to normality quickly. This isn’t something that can be scheduled or controlled. Give yourself the time and latitude necessary, no matter how long it takes.
To take care of yourself in this difficult period, the most beneficial thing you can do is to grant yourself patience and time for your suffering. No one should expect you to rush through or “move on” from what has happened. It may be a positive idea to distance yourself from anyone who pressures you with unreasonable demands during this sensitive stage.
6 Ways to Practice Self-Care After Loss
It can be difficult to practice self-care when dealing with loss, but it is an important part of the healing process. By reaching out for help and support from your loved ones, engaging in physical activity, spending time with nature, talking openly about what you’re feeling, and taking some time off to relax and reflect on your emotions will all help you cope better after a traumatic event. Remember that grief doesn’t have any set timeline. So give yourself as much patience and understanding as possible while going through this trying period. With these tips in mind, we hope that you are able to take care of yourself during this difficult journey towards healing.
Want more self-care ideas? Check out these posts:
- 22 Self-Care Sunday Ideas
- 15 Self-Care Ideas for When You are Having a Bad Day
- 7 Ways to Reset Mentally For Self-Care
Now I’d like to hear from you. Have you tried any of the self-care ideas after a loss before? Please leave a comment below.
📌 Save this for later
