Moving Forward When Grief Intrudes in Your Life - Camille Johnson
Grief is a natural part of life, but it can feel like too much to bear. Moving forward from the loss that you have experienced may seem impossible, but there are steps you can take to keep yourself going and experience joy again. Consider this list of suggestions from Basic Counseling Skills to help you cope in times of grief.
1. Avoid Isolation
When experiencing the loss of someone or something important to you, it’s easy to give in to the desire to isolate and grieve in private. While having time to yourself to process isn't a bad thing, it’s also necessary to sustain relationships with others and allow them to be a support system for you.
According to Tulane University’s School of Public Health, social isolation can have dramatic effects on not only mental health but physical health as well, with evidence suggesting that isolation is linked with increased risks of heart disease, stroke, and premature mortality.
For people who work from home, it can be especially challenging to avoid isolation during a time of grief. Be sure to make regular efforts to see people every day and to work only during regular designated hours so that you can connect with colleagues, even if it is virtually.
2. Keep a Journal
Keeping a journal is often associated with childhood, but journaling’s value extends far beyond adolescence. It offers many benefits, particularly for those struggling with grief-related depression and stress. These include reducing symptoms of depression and other post-trauma issues, enhancing a sense of well-being, and improving working memory.
3. Try Forest Bathing
When death intrudes on our lives, it can be helpful to be reminded of all the natural life around us. Forest bathing or shinrin-yoku is the Japanese practice of using the forest or outdoors to reap the benefits of nature to improve one's mental state and physical health.
While simply being away from screens and not sitting all day offers significant benefits, there are others unique to being outdoors, including exposure to phytoncide, a substance emitted by plants and trees. Breathing in air full of this natural oil increases the number of NK or natural killer cells in the body which can help fight infections and cancers. Phytoncides also have been shown to provide a boost in mood, improve attention, encourage creativity and improve sleep.
4. Explore New Interests
Familiar hobbies can offer comfort in times of grieving, but they can also be reminders of what we have lost. Engaging in a new activity can offer relief and a sense of purpose that is crucial to a healthy mindset. It can also allow you to rediscover parts of yourself that you may have been neglecting or interests that you've put off exploring.
Artistic endeavors such as taking a painting class or learning a new instrument can be very beneficial as they allow you to become invested in the creative process. Activities that address your physical health such as taking up running or enrolling in a dance class can be helpful as well, as physical activity has been shown to reduce stress and increase energy and optimism. You can even consider a change of career! Applying for a job can seem intimidating at first but there are tools that can give you an edge over the competition, like this free resume builder.
Don't let grief get the best of you. Use the perspective of this time to cultivate a life you can be proud of and happy in once again.
Basic Counseling Skills is geared to the needs of University and College Students, Health Care Practitioners, Volunteers, and New Counselors. But my hope is that EVERYONE – including Teachers and Professors, Department Managers, Volunteer Coordinators, and experienced Counselors - will find this a good refresher and will recommend it to others. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Image via Pexels
1. Avoid Isolation
When experiencing the loss of someone or something important to you, it’s easy to give in to the desire to isolate and grieve in private. While having time to yourself to process isn't a bad thing, it’s also necessary to sustain relationships with others and allow them to be a support system for you.
According to Tulane University’s School of Public Health, social isolation can have dramatic effects on not only mental health but physical health as well, with evidence suggesting that isolation is linked with increased risks of heart disease, stroke, and premature mortality.
For people who work from home, it can be especially challenging to avoid isolation during a time of grief. Be sure to make regular efforts to see people every day and to work only during regular designated hours so that you can connect with colleagues, even if it is virtually.
2. Keep a Journal
Keeping a journal is often associated with childhood, but journaling’s value extends far beyond adolescence. It offers many benefits, particularly for those struggling with grief-related depression and stress. These include reducing symptoms of depression and other post-trauma issues, enhancing a sense of well-being, and improving working memory.
3. Try Forest Bathing
When death intrudes on our lives, it can be helpful to be reminded of all the natural life around us. Forest bathing or shinrin-yoku is the Japanese practice of using the forest or outdoors to reap the benefits of nature to improve one's mental state and physical health.
While simply being away from screens and not sitting all day offers significant benefits, there are others unique to being outdoors, including exposure to phytoncide, a substance emitted by plants and trees. Breathing in air full of this natural oil increases the number of NK or natural killer cells in the body which can help fight infections and cancers. Phytoncides also have been shown to provide a boost in mood, improve attention, encourage creativity and improve sleep.
4. Explore New Interests
Familiar hobbies can offer comfort in times of grieving, but they can also be reminders of what we have lost. Engaging in a new activity can offer relief and a sense of purpose that is crucial to a healthy mindset. It can also allow you to rediscover parts of yourself that you may have been neglecting or interests that you've put off exploring.
Artistic endeavors such as taking a painting class or learning a new instrument can be very beneficial as they allow you to become invested in the creative process. Activities that address your physical health such as taking up running or enrolling in a dance class can be helpful as well, as physical activity has been shown to reduce stress and increase energy and optimism. You can even consider a change of career! Applying for a job can seem intimidating at first but there are tools that can give you an edge over the competition, like this free resume builder.
Don't let grief get the best of you. Use the perspective of this time to cultivate a life you can be proud of and happy in once again.
Basic Counseling Skills is geared to the needs of University and College Students, Health Care Practitioners, Volunteers, and New Counselors. But my hope is that EVERYONE – including Teachers and Professors, Department Managers, Volunteer Coordinators, and experienced Counselors - will find this a good refresher and will recommend it to others. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Image via Pexels
