Grieving Requires Self-Care

Self-care can be very difficult. The physical and emotional turmoil of grieving can take many months to settle down. Exhaustion might settle in from sleep deprivation or perhaps you don’t want to get out of bed; both are normal reactions. You might experience loss of appetite or develop a reliance on caffeine and/or alcohol. This is the time to take extra care of yourself, whether it is treating yourself to a nice massage, listening to your favorite music or a enjoying a walk on the beach. You’re encouraged to rest as much as you want and need to.

This is the time to take extra care of yourself

You may experience a raft of emotions: anger, guilt, regret, pain. Sometimes it’s helpful to express these feelings but it can take time to release them. Some people find it helpful to keep a journal. Your grief is unique. Others will find it helpful to seek some professional help, either in a support group or through individual counseling sessions. If symptoms persist, it could be wise to visit your GP and make sure you are okay.

Ignore those around you who say it’s time to move on. It’s important to recognize you are not the same person and may not return to your ‘old self.’ If you’ve lost someone you loved so much, you’ll always grieve for them. The grief just changes over time. It helps to redefine your goal: it will be a comfort to just be able to move forward with less pain and reframing your relationship with your loved one will ease the pain.

Share memories with friends and family and establish some rituals; for example, arrange a family dinner on the anniversary or make a memorial garden or photo album in memory of your loved one.

Most importantly, don’t feel a need to make big life decisions quickly. Take your time. Adjust to your new life, new routine, new priorities. You might feel like you’re swimming in the once-cozy house you shared with your loved one and are totally lost. That’s normal, and so is taking your time to figure out what is the next best step. Keep checking in with your heart.

Eventually, you’ll know when the time is right to make major changes, like selling or purchasing real estate and moving to a home in which you can make new memories and keep your loved one’s nearby. When it’s time, seek out a compassionate, structured and savvy Bradenton/Sarasota Realtor who can guide you confidently in the direction of your dreams, but who’ll be patient with your pace.

When facing the loss of a spouse it’s important for the surviving spouse to have a support team around them. After the initial shock has subsided, the time comes when taking action on what’s next is imperative. Having support partners like a well-trained and compassionate Estate Attorney, Financial Planner and Real Estate Agent can make a huge difference. If you would like recommendations on local Bradenton|Sarasota area Estate Attorneys, Financial Planners or Grief Counselors, please email me at Jude@JudeCreamer.com Jude Creamer, Broker Associate, HomeSmart, specializing in facilitating real estate transactions for people in life transitions.