Coping with the loss of a loved one is tiring and difficult. It is the struggle you go through every day to meet your own needs and the demands of your new situation.

The struggle is to cope well, rather than in unhealthy or destructive ways. Coping well may include keeping your faith, enjoying spending time with others, or simply recognizing that you are better today than you were yesterday.

Ways to Cope with Loss

Everyone reacts differently to loss, so it important to find ways to cope that will work for you.

Here are some simple suggestions:

• Talk with a friend about your feelings
• Read
• Soak in a tub
• Take a walk
• Listen to music
• Meditate
• Find, strengthen, or re-establish your spirituality
• Work with your hands
• Do something for someone else
• Make a memory scrapbook

Adjusting to Loss

Adjustment starts when you can accept the loss and become determined to live beyond it.

Believing you can create a new life for yourself may not be easy. The reality is that the way out of grief is by moving through it.

Here are some suggestions for helping yourself through grief:

• Accept your grief. Remember it is a natural healing process.
• Learn about grief. Understanding grief can help you know that what you are going through is normal.
• Write about your loss. Keeping a journal is not for everyone, but it can be powerful in helping you heal.
• Accept your feelings. Grief has many feelings, some very strong. Accept them, and they will help you learn about yourself and the meaning of your loss.
• Pace yourself. Grief takes energy. A slower pace mixed with periods of play and mild exercise can help you heal.
• Cry about your loss. Tears can relieve a lot of pressure.
• Involve yourself in work or meaningful activity. This can help maintain direction, control and purpose, and it can occupy your mind.
• Think about your loss. Relive experiences in your thoughts.
• Talk about your loss. There can be release in talking about your loss. You may need to tell the same stories over and over as part of your healing.
• Do not be afraid to have fun. Laughter is good medicine.
• Take care of your health. Do your best to eat right and get enough rest. If you are due for a physical exam or have put off a health screening, make an appointment.
• Exercise can release a surprising amount of tension, anger and frustration.

Androscoggin Home Healthcare and Hospice offers free community support groups and other programs to help adults, children and teens as they grieve. For more information, call us at 207.777.7740 and ask for bereavement services. You can also drop us a line using the Get In Touch form.