Take Care Of You

Experiencing the loss of a loved one may be a harrowing ordeal. Everyone experiences grief after the death of a loved one, but it can be extremely difficult to manage when you're simultaneously trying to look after yourself.

Give yourself permission to cry
Allowing yourself to grieve is the first step in taking care of yourself following the death of a loved one. This can look different for various people, but it's crucial that you allow yourself to feel whatever feelings you're experiencing, whether that's crying, yelling, or feeling numb. Do not try to rush through the grieving process or ignore your feelings.

Trust in your community.
It's crucial that you lean on your loved ones for comfort at this time. These people can be members of your immediate or extended family, close friends, or even a therapist. Never be too proud to ask for assistance or backing. Sharing your emotions with a trusted friend or loved one may be a cathartic experience and a great way to feel less isolated.

You should take care of your body.
It's also crucial to pay attention to your bodily wellbeing at this time. Make an effort to eat well, get plenty of sleep, and exercise frequently. Exercising is a fantastic method of relieving stress and lifting your spirits.

Exercising compassion for you is a good idea.
Self-criticism is common throughout this time; nonetheless, showing kindness to yourself is crucial. Don't be hard on yourself; instead, treat oneself gently and without judgement. Keep in mind that grieving is a normal human experience and there is no one "correct" way to grieve.

Take care of yourself by doing things you enjoy.
Self-care practises might be very useful at this time. Things like soaking in a hot tub, doing some yoga, or even simply sitting down with some good TV might all fall into this category. Taking time for yourself to do things you enjoy will help you unwind and forget about your loss for a while.

Let yourself some breathing room.
Last but not least, you should give yourself plenty of time and room to mourn. Giving yourself permission to say "no" to things that don't seem right right now, or taking time from work or other commitments, can help. Always keep in mind that there's no need to rush the healing process.

Prioritising your physical and mental well-being during this time is essential, but it can be exceedingly difficult to do so after a loved one's death. To heal, you need to give yourself permission to grieve, help from your loved ones, self-compassion, self-care, and time.

YOU DON’T JUST LOSE SOMEONE ONCE

Matthew Finch- Loss Of A So

You lose them over and over,
sometimes in the same day.
When the loss, momentarily forgotten,
creeps up, and attacks you from behind.
Fresh waves of grief as the realisation hits home,
they are gone.

Again.

You don’t just lose someone once,
you lose them every time you open your eyes to a new dawn,
and as you awaken,
so does your memory,
so does the jolting bolt of lightning that rips into your heart,
they are gone.

Again.

Losing someone is a journey,
not a one-off.
There is no end to the loss, there is only a learned skill on how to stay afloat, when it washes over.
Be kind to those who are sailing this stormy sea,
they have a journey ahead of them, and a daily shock to the system each time they realise,
they are gone.

Again.

You don’t just lose someone once,
you lose them every day,
for a lifetime.

Donna Ashworth

Books by Donna Ashworth; To The Women: words to live by