Two years ago, my cousin Hazel hit rock bottom when she lost her husband in a car accident, leaving her with their 2 daughters. She was utterly devastated. Every waking moment for her was a struggle, not only in dealing with her loneliness but also in thinking how she’s going to raise her kids on her own. Healing after loss isn’t easy, but there are little things you can do to help the process.
After being stretched beyond your limit, after experiencing too much pain and pressure that can drain all the energy out of you, after having a breakdown dealing with all the troubles in your life and traveling the depths of hell and slaying vicious monsters, you deserve a break; a timeout from the world and a moment to nourish your soul.
Here are my suggestions to help you get back your life, health, and growth.
Tips For Healing After Loss
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Loss of any kind hurts. You may have lost a loved one to death. Or, maybe you’ve gone through a divorce or separation recently. You need to learn a few coping mechanisms to keep moving forward. Here are a few ideas.
1. Take care of your health
It’s easy to let yourself go after a major loss. You forget to eat, don’t feel like exercising, maybe try t drow out your pain with alcohol and other bad habits that do nothing but hurt you even more.
Now, more than ever it’s important to take extra special care of your body:
- drink plenty of water
- eat a balanced diet
- go to sleep on time
- exercise a bit every day
- pray daily
- anything else that boosts your immunity and mood
2. Spend time outdoors
Take some time to disconnect from your daily routines, from work and all the busyness of life. Go out there and take advantage of the beauty of nature and the world. Spend some of your energy hiking. Or maybe you enjoy the sounds of the ocean. Find someplace that takes your mind off of your hurt and feeds your soul.
As the famous saying goes, “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” Travel feeds the soul with a fresh perspective, self-discovery, happy experiences, and priceless knowledge about what other cultures and countries have to offer. It allows you to think, feel, and dream.
3. Indulge in activities that calm your emotions & stir your passion
Invest a few moments tapping into your creativity and doing activities that not only bring you joy and deep satisfaction but also make you feel free and true to yourself. Listen to your favorite music, read a classic novel, write a journal, or use your artistic abilities to express yourself.
Also, pay attention to small things that nourish your spirit, like the soothing sound of raindrops, the delicious aroma of your coffee and hot soup on a cold day.
Another way to stimulate your senses and relax your soul is by doing this one-minute simple breathing exercise:
Breathing can change your emotions. So, try to be more conscious about it so you can always work on getting out of a bad mood anytime, anywhere. Sometimes, a moment is all it takes to awaken your soul and feel a little better.
4. Connect with others
The thing with having friends is that you don’t always have to deal with all the craziness that life throws at you alone. Just by being there, they make you feel amazing, valued, and worthy.
So, go out there, build new relationships, and make more friends. Start creating good memories by having some healthy conversations with them, sharing with them your thoughts, and listening to their opinions as well.
5. Forgive yourself
Shut out all the voices in your head that are telling you that it’s all your fault, that you’re not good enough and that you have to suffer for your mistakes. Let go of your guilt and anger, turn the page, and start a new chapter of self-love.
This process doesn’t happen overnight and is different for everyone. You need to be patient as you go through the stages of grief. For some, healing may be fairly quick, but for others, it will take time. Don’t rush it: give yourself time. No matter how long it takes, I believe that it’s worth it because it gives you the opportunity to grow, soothe your soul, and find a deeper meaning in your relationships.
I hope that these tips that I shared with you today help bring you healing, peace, and inspiration.
