How To Avoid Family Conflict After The Loss Of A Loved One
Experiencing a death in the family can strike a major blow to everyone involved and, in some cases, can fracture relationships due to guilt, blame, and conflict. When you’re trying to manage your emotions and cope with the loss of your loved one, the last thing you need is turmoil within your family, so it’s important to learn the best ways to handle those feelings and how to communicate them.
Taking care of yourself during this time is so important. A change of scenery may help ease the process. Focusing on things you enjoy can help during this time; for example, going back to school and focusing on enrolling in classes online for something that interests you can give you something to occupy your mind. Also, getting enough sleep and remembering to eat can help you keep your strength up, as well as keep your wits about you when your family members become upset.
Here are some of the best ways you can avoid family conflict after the loss of a loved one.
Remember that they’re suffering, too
Grief manifests itself in many different ways, so it’s important to remember that your family members are suffering, too, even if they don’t show it the same way you do. Some people have trouble with their appetite after a loss, while others comfort themselves with food; some show their emotions openly while others prefer to mourn in private. There are no rules with grief; it comes and goes as it pleases and looks different to everyone.
To read more about grief and family conflict, read this helpful guide.
Make sure everyone is taken care of
When we get tired and hungry, our emotions run even higher. It’s very easy to forget where you are or what the circumstances are when you haven’t taken care of yourself, and that can lead to an opening for an argument or discord. Take care of yourself and your family members by ensuring that everyone is able to get good rest, and set out snacks so that anyone who feels like eating can grab something quickly.
Practicing self-care includes communicating with your employer when you return to work so that your needs are well taken care of. Some people need to take extended time off after the funeral, so talk to your boss about how many personal days you have and whether you can work remotely from home or reduce your hours.
Compromise
It can be difficult to make final arrangements when everyone wants to have input, so make a point to stay open to suggestions and make compromises with your family members. As long as the arrangements include everything your loved ones wanted, it’s okay to let some things go. Keep communication open with your family members and allow everyone to let their opinions be known.
Get support
It’s imperative to have support when you’re going through a major loss, so consider looking for a support group or therapist to talk to. Being able to talk to people who understand what you’re going through can help you recover more quickly and find peace in such a difficult time.
It’s also important to realize that your grief may also bring up other emotions, such as anger, denial, and guilt, all of which can lead to bigger issues such as depression or substance abuse. Learning healthy ways to cope with your grief can help you move forward.
For more information on how to move forward after such a loss, read on here.
Going through a major loss can be stressful and can lead to anxiety and other changes in emotion and behavior, so keep in mind that you may need support from a therapist or counselor for quite a while. There is no time limit on grief, so don’t push yourself to “move on.” Take things slowly and make sure your needs are taken care of.