Losing a loved one is among the most challenging things you can go through. It can take years to process our loss and begin to move on with our lives in some cases. Therefore, if you are currently grieving, you must not worry about whether or not you are taking too long to progress through your grief. However, it’s critical to stay healthy and foster your mental well-being on your journey.
One way to prioritize your health and well-being is to establish goals. By setting realistic goals for your life, you can ensure you are working toward a better future for yourself and those around you.
Plan a Short Trip
If you’ve been stuck in your home, or even in the same town, since you lost your loved one, it might be time for you to get out for a while. A change of scenery can do wonders for mental health, even if it’s simply going to a nearby destination for the weekend.
Think about planning a weekend getaway with friends, relatives, or yourself. Look for a place with beaches, mountains, lakes, or other natural attractions. If there is a specific destination you find relaxing, consider booking a vacation rental there and spending a week or longer.
If you have never been to New York, this could be the ideal time to take a trip. From Central Park to the Empire State building, from Times Square to Greenwich Village, there is no shortage of historical attractions to enjoy during your getaway.
You could even knock it out of the park with Yankees tickets, and you could save money by getting your tickets from an online seller. Use a website that lets you narrow your search to the budget, date, and seat rating that meets your needs. You may be able to see an interactive seating chart of Yankee Stadium for a sneak peek of what your view will be from the stands.
Reach Out to People
One of the first steps to take after a difficult loss is to reach out to loved ones and friends you trust. Surrounding yourself with those you are comfortable with will give you a platform for sharing your feelings and developing a plan for processing your grief.
If you have family members or friends experiencing the same challenges, start by connecting with them. And if you need additional help, don’t hesitate to find a professional therapist who can walk you through the various stages of grief. You also may benefit from joining a local support group.
Embrace Productive Solitude
Along with talking with other people, try to schedule time for solitude. Assessing your thoughts and emotions in quiet can help you process the situation without the pressures of socialising.
Consider writing in a journal each day. This can be an excellent outlet for venting your thoughts and feelings and jotting down ideas of how you can progress through your grief and improve your life. Many people use journals as a way of setting health and wellness goals. And you can also track your progress by writing about your victories and challenges each day.
Sometimes, it helps to document a recent experience in your daily life. And if you don’t want to share your writings with anyone else, you don’t have to.
Create a Fitness Routine
You may not have the energy or motivation to work out in the early stages of grief. But once you start to get a bit more energy, begin building a fitness routine from the ground up. You may start with a 10-minute walk through the neighborhood, and once you’ve done that for a week, make it a 20-minute walk.
You can start to intensify your exercise gradually by adding jogging, cycling, hiking, or other cardio movements to the mix. One of the best ways to blow off steam and enhance your mood is to lift weights. And if you want to combine cardio, strength, and balance movements, you might try your hand at HIIT. Look online for plans and programs you can do from home with little to no equipment.
Find Your Sleep Rhythm
Getting good sleep could be one of your most significant challenges while grieving. But it’s critical to your healing and overall health. Ideally, you will get at least seven hours of sleep each night, and if that’s not happening, it might be time to reevaluate your bedtime routine.
For example, lowering the temperature in your bedroom and ensuring it is dark and quiet can do wonders for helping you fall asleep and stay asleep through the night.
Also, look for relaxing activities like listening to music, taking a long shower, or mindfulness meditation that can help you unwind before bed. And if you are in the habit of using your TV, smartphone, or other electronic devices to fall asleep, consider eliminating those activities leading up to bedtime. The blue light emitted from electronic screens can disrupt your sleep cycle, and opting for reading a book or another alternative could keep that from happening.
Shift Your Career
Another way to set goals for yourself and healthily progress through your grief is to reassess your career path. Are you happy doing what you do, or are you disappointed and overwhelmed? This could be an excellent time to change things up and forge a more satisfying career.
Think about the interests, skills, and knowledge you’ve acquired through the years, and brainstorm various job and business ideas that can be a good fit. Then, spend time researching until you discover the right path.
Is your passion something you could turn into a business? And if so, do you have the entrepreneurial spirit to build a company? Will you need to pursue additional education or training to succeed in your new industry? A career change could give you a significant boost in confidence and improve your overall quality of life.
Be Mindful of Your Circle
Finally, be selective in who you choose to spend time with as you grieve. If you have any old and new friends who have experienced grief, prioritize time with them. Such friends have a way of being good company without placing any unrealistic expectations or burdens on you. And that is critical for processing grief and healing.
While you don’t want to stress out about not progressing through your grief fast enough, you also don’t want to stay stuck in the same stage for months or years on end. Take an honest assessment of where you are, and create healthy goals to keep you on track to a promising future. And remember to surround yourself with people who can help along the way.
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