Grieving the loss of a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, sad, and anxious during this time. You may find it challenging to concentrate on anything other than your grief, but you need to take care of yourself too. There are small steps toward healthful healing that you can take in your Houston home — ones that will offer comfort in a difficult time.
1. Spend Time With Loved Ones
Lean on the people who care about you during this tough time. Talking about your feelings and memories of the person you lost can be therapeutic. Adopting a pet from a Houston shelter can also achieve this end by giving you a judgment-free space to talk and a renewed sense of responsibility.
2. Get Enough Sleep
Grief can be exhausting, emotionally and physically. So, make sure you’re getting enough rest to help your body recover. Experts recommend adults get 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
3. Eat Healthily
It’s easy to let your diet slide when you’re grieving. You may not feel like cooking or eating, but it’s important to fuel your body with nutrients to help you heal. Eating healthy foods can also give you more energy.
4. Exercise
Physical activity can help reduce stress and anxiety, boost your mood, and improve your sleep. Take a brisk walk, go for a swim, or do yoga. You can also take up yoga meditation or an outdoor hobby, such as biking or gardening, to work through your grief. Fresh air and sunlight can help improve your mood and overall energy levels. Even if you're pressed for time, making health-conscious choices, such as taking the stairs rather than an elevator or parking farther away from the entrance to work, can make a big impact on your mental health. So, do what you can to get your blood pumping a little every day.
5. Create a Peaceful Home Environment
To begin, open your curtains or blinds to let in natural light. Sit near a window when you can, as getting some sunlight each day can help improve your mood and energy levels.
Some ways to make your home more peaceful include decluttering for stress reduction and closure, adding plants to rooms, using organizers for rearranging closets and cabinets, and making a serene meditation space.
Once you’ve created a comfortable space in your home, you can practice journaling or playing peaceful music to help you process your thoughts and emotions. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be therapeutic. You may find it helpful to write about your memories of the person you lost, your feelings of sadness and loss, or your hopes for the future. Listening to calm, relaxing music can also help reduce stress and anxiety. Give yourself time each day to relax and do something you enjoy. This can be reading, watching a movie, taking a bath, or spending time with a pet.
Feeling Like Yourself
Grief is a complicated process; there's no “right” or “wrong” way to grieve. Create an environment conducive to healing by clearing out clutter, taking time for yourself, and spending time with loved ones or your pets. For help with funeral arrangements, take a look at Waldman Funeral Care's services.
For more information regarding prepaid funerals and consumer rights and protections under Texas state law, visit www.prepaidfunerals.texas.gov.