Special Postings 2.
HELPING YOURSELF THROUGH GRIEF
1. Be gentle and patient with yourself. It takes time to heal.
2. Keep decision-making at a minimum and decline new responsibilities for six months to a year or more.
3. It's ok to want comforting. Ask for help from family and friends; accept help and support when offered.
4. Communicate as you wish with the person who has died.
5. If weekend, holidays, birthdays and anniversaries are especially difficult times, schedule activities you find particularly comforting for these time periods.
6. Remember, it is normal to feel depressed. Allow yourself to have a good cry; you may feel better afterwards.
7. Reading provides both insight and pleasure, making grief easier to handle.
8. Rest and good nutrition are important for the healing process.
9. Moderate exercise, such as golf, swimming, tennis or walking, offers an opportunity to work off frustration and release anger.
10. Keep a journal. It's a good way to reflect on what you are thinking and feeling.
11. Plan new interests. Join an interest group, take a class, learn something new, and rediscover old interests, activities and friends.
12. Plan something to look forward to __a trip, a visit or a meal with a special person.
13. Invite a friend or relative for a meal. Visit a friend. Meet new people.
14. Reach out to someone else. Call a friend to listen. Talk to someone who is lonely or hurting. Volunteer.
15. Remember, you will get better. Hold onto hope. Some days you just hang on, but the better days will return. You will gradually develop a renewed sense of purpose.
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