Healthy Goals to Set during Times of Grief
When you’re grieving, creating a plan to cope with that grief can seem like an insurmountable task. And even though there is a plethora of resources and advice available, it can make it difficult to know what to do and how to begin the process of healing. But an important part of coping with grief is setting goals to help you transition back into your daily routine. When you have no sense of what to do, setting an action plan and creating healthy goals can help you stay focused and regain control of your life.
Today, MJ Housing & Services explores how to achieve these goals.
Alleviate Stress by Identifying Triggers
When you know what produces stress in your life, you can actively work to avoid them and move toward healthy healing. If you aren’t immediately sure what triggers stress, Sharecare suggests starting a journal that logs when you feel stressed. You can then start to identify those things in your life that cause stress. It’s an essential step when overcoming grief.
Ask for What You Need
A relationship is two-way, and it’s important to be self-reflective and honest with yourself when it comes to your needs. If you feel as though you’re not getting the support you need, you can let someone know.
It’s important to let people in your life know what they can do to help, and it’s important to take time for yourself when you need it.
Take Small Steps
Reaching out to a support group or counseling services may feel like the right thing to do, but you don’t have to do it right away. Your first step is to take care of yourself. If that involves a support group, then by all means, seek out the services of one.
But if you need to take some time for yourself, it’s certainly OK to do so. There is a fine line between healthy and unhealthy isolation. As long as you know when it’s time to socialize, you haven’t anything to worry about.
Get Out of a Job You Hate
Losing a loved one is never easy, and the grieving process can be long and difficult. However, sometimes making a significant change in your life can help you to move on. For example, finding a new job can give you a sense of purpose and help you to chase your own happiness. This is especially true if you’re unhappy with your current job. You may feel that life is simply too short to be unhappy, and finding something new may feel empowering.
Of course, the thought of job hunting when you're grieving can be daunting. But using a resume generator can help to make the process a little easier. With just a few clicks, you can create a professional-looking resume that will help you to stand out to potential employers — here's a free resume generator to get you started.
So, if you're struggling to cope with loss, don't be afraid to pursue your dreams. A new job may be just what you need to start fresh and begin the healing process.
Stay Active
Remember, it’s important to stay active. A lack of activity can make grief much more intense. Therefore, you should strive to take on new hobbies, listen to music, adopt a pet, or anything else that helps to take your mind off of your loss.
As part of making smarter choices for your overall wellness, seek out activities that are personally meaningful, enjoyable, and get you moving. That will help you reconnect with the outside world and stay active as you continue to process your grief.
Eat Healthy
A healthy diet plays a significant role in how you feel. If all you’re eating is junk food, you’re not going to feel very good about yourself. To improve your likelihood of overcoming grief, be sure to maintain a diet of healthy foods. Combined with plenty of exercise and activity, you’ll be on the path to successful healing.
Get Outside
The sun is nature’s natural medicine and can help you relax and find joy in the present moment. Keep in mind that isolation is OK at first. But staying cooped up indoors for too long can exacerbate your grief.
Sharp.com points out that the outdoors provide healthy, natural healing, so make it a point to get outside as much as possible during times of grief.
Get Rid of the Clutter
Clutter is a common source of stress. When you’re grieving, it can help to declutter your home and reduce one more stressor in your life. Start by decluttering your closets and cabinets.
Overcoming grief takes time. Don’t avoid it; like an incoming wave, the best thing you can do is steer into it. Be mindful of how you feel, adopt a healthy lifestyle, find a new job that makes you happy, and do what you can to create a calm and serene space in your home. This won’t happen overnight, but it will happen.
MJ Housing & Services provides services to seniors and people with disabilities. Our programs include aging services, service coordination, supportive services and educational programming. Learn more by contacting us at (619) 693-6202.