Coping with Grief

Coping With Grief: Looking at Effective Strategies

Grieving the loss of someone close to you is one of the most difficult things you will ever experience. It can be overwhelming and all-consuming as it is such an intense emotion. While there is no easy way to manage grief, there are some tips and tricks that may help you cope with this difficult time.

Health and Self-Care First

Taking care of your physical and mental health should be at the top of your list when grieving. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and exercising regularly. Additionally, take time for yourself to do activities that make you feel calm and relaxed such as reading a book or taking a walk in nature. Self-care is essential during this time.

Get Counseling or Therapy

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed with intense emotions when dealing with a loss. Seeking counseling or therapy can help provide support during this challenging time. Talking to a professional can help process these emotions in a healthy manner and provide guidance on how to move forward in life after loss.

Discover Meaningful Expression Outlets

Finding ways to express your grief can be a valuable part of managing the emotions associated with losing someone close to you. Writing thoughts and memories down, creating art inspired by them, planting a garden, or even just talking about them can be cathartic and help release some of the pain. Reflection and expressing yourself in any way possible can provide solace when trying to make sense of a loss.

Unwind Whenever You Can

Grief can be a physically and mentally exhausting process, so it is important to find ways to relax. Taking deep breaths when feeling overwhelmed, practicing yoga or meditation, listening to calming music, and taking part in activities that bring comfort such as gardening or cooking a favorite recipe of a loved one are all great ways to help ease the burden of grief. These activities can help provide moments of peace during an otherwise difficult time.

Memorialize Your Loved One with a Plaque

Creating something tangible in honor of a loved one who has passed away can be an invaluable way to cope with grief. A bronze memorial plaque with their name and special place engraved on it is a great way to keep them close to your heart and remember them always. Give this a look, as it could be the perfect meaningful way to honor their memory. You can put it in a garden, next to some special artwork, or pay to have it installed in a charity of your choice.

Be a Part of a Grief Support Group

Grief support groups provide a safe environment for individuals to come together and share stories of similar losses. Sometimes these groups are casual arrangements, led by people who have been through the same types of life circumstances. And counselors are sometimes available in these groups, specializing in helping individuals manage their emotions associated with the loss of someone close to them. Participating in either type can help you feel less isolated and reassure you that, in time, you will feel better. These connections are invaluable during a time when unexpected events may cause a significant impact on our lives.

Losing someone close is never easy, and it can be tempting to let grief consume us. However, there are healthy ways to cope with our loss. Seeking counseling or therapy can help us process our feelings in a constructive way. Expressing ourselves through creative outlets such as writing or art can also aid our healing journey. Honoring their memory by creating bronze memorial plaques is a meaningful way to remember them even if they're no longer present. Self-care during difficult times is essential and these practices can help us make the most out of life despite unexpected circumstances.

Tip of the Morning - Avoiding Scams

Auto warranty phone calls seem to have tapered off (perhaps because I told them I drive a 1918 Model T), but the scams keep on coming. Scammers especially target seniors, often pretending to be government employees from Social Security or the IRS. They’re scary calls when they demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or legal action. Social Security or the IRS generally will only call you at your request. Treat any unsolicited call with suspicion. As detailed on the Social Security website https://www.ssa.gov/scam/ government employees will NEVER:

·      Threaten you.

·      Suspend your Social Security number.

·      Demand an immediate payment.

·      Require payment by cash, gift card, pre-paid debit card, or wire transfer.

Social Security may email or text you about programs and services but will never ask for a return call to an unknown number. Social Security only sends emails or text messages if you have opted in to receive them and only in limited situations, including:

·      When you have subscribed to receive updates and notifications by text or email.

·      As part of Social Security’s enhanced security when accessing your personal my Social Security account.

Scammers may also reach out by physical mail or email or try to spoof a government website. All government email and web addresses end in .gov. If it purports to be from the U.S. Government and you don’t see .gov, delete the email or leave the website immediately. Most of all do not click on any links or open any attachments. Finally beware of any mail you receive that appears to be from a government agency promising you money. It’s easy to mimic government stationary. My father almost lost his entire savings responding to such a mailing. As with Social Security, no government agency will require you to pay something to claim funds.

Stay safe.

How a Change of Scenery May Help You to Cope with Grief After the Passing of a Loved One

How a Change of Scenery May Help You to Cope with Grief After the Passing of a Loved One

When you’re suffering from the loss of a loved one, a fresh start in a new location can sometimes help you to process your emotions and heal from your grief—especially if you lived with your loved one and/or he or she passed away in your home. In some cases, the financial aspect of living there without your loved one may even encourage you to sell the home and move elsewhere.

While a change of scenery may be just the thing you need to cope with your grief, Verywell Mind recommends waiting at least six months before making any major decision after the loss of a loved one—including selling a home and/or moving into a new place. By waiting several months, you’ll give yourself plenty of time to process the idea of moving, get your home ready to sell, and sort through your loved one’s belongings.

To learn more about the benefits of moving into a new home after a loved one passes away—as well as the steps you must take to prepare yourself for the move—read on.

When a Change of Scenery Could Be a Good Idea

If living at home without your loved one becomes so painful that it substantially affects your quality of life, or you feel far too uncomfortable residing there without him or her, it may be time for a change of scenery. If you live in a large home, sometimes the thought of living there alone without anyone else to occupy the space can be too much to bear. The Bereaved website provides practical guidance if you find yourself wondering if you should make some changes.

If you believe you could benefit from a change of scenery, you may be able to stay with a trusted friend or relative as you grieve the loss of your loved one. As another option, you may choose to live in a hotel or apartment as you temporarily rent out your home. If possible, however, hold off on selling or moving out of your home until you’ve given yourself at least six months to grieve.

Sorting Through Your Loved One’s Belongings

Before moving on from your current home, you’ll need to give yourself plenty of time to sort through your loved one’s personal belongings. Sorting through a loved one’s belongings can be emotionally difficult and overwhelming, but there are several things you can do to take some of the pain out of this process. The Modern Loss website provides some valuable tips including:

●      Bringing in trusted relatives, friends, or community members to assist you.

Purchasing storage bins, as these will allow you to hold certain items until you decide what to do with them.

●      Bringing in trusted relatives, friends, or community members to assist you.

●      Purchasing storage bins, as these will allow you to hold certain items until you decide what to do with them.

●      Sorting items by category, such as clothing, books, or electronics.

●      Working in blocks of no more than three to four hours at a time.

After sorting through these belongings, Dr. Joyce Hocker in  Psychology Today recommends integrating these items into your daily life as a reminder of the things that were important to your dear one. If you do need to let go of an item, taking a picture of it will keep your loved one with you even when you can’t hold onto each belonging.

Getting Your Home Ready to Sell

Once you’ve made the difficult decision to move on from your current home, you’ll need to get your home ready to sell. Since buying and selling a home are both quite stressful, it’s important to ensure that you’re officially up for it as you cope with your grief. For instance, as detailed on Redfin’s website, several key steps to getting your home market-ready include:

1. Fixing issues such as broken pipes or windows.

2. Updating the exterior of the home, including the landscaping, mailbox, and front door.

3. Lisa Sachleben of Define Refined provides a good Deep cleaning checklist.

4. Getting a pre-approval letter, if you’re planning on buying your next home.

5. Bankrate has good suggestions on selecting a listing agent to sell a home.

6. Moving.com has tips on staging a home to make it more attractive to potential buyers.

Once your home is ready to sell, consider hiring movers to assist you on moving day.

Losing someone close to you is one of the hardest things you’ll ever face, so it’s important to do everything you can to eliminate as much stress as possible as you adjust to life without your loved one.