Best Life Therapy Blogs - Grief, Anxiety, Stress & More
- posted: Jan. 29, 2025
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is incredibly difficult. The shock, anger and sadness we experience afterwards can make it hard to care for ourselves. Getting out of bed in the morning can be a challenge when we are grieving especially when the shock wears off and the loneliness sets in. When our loved one is ill, depending upon the disease and the level of support, families often gather, bring dinner to ensure everyone is taking care of themselves and call to check on those impacted. They can be a great support. Depending upon the length of that illness, the friends and family sometimes begin to visit, call or check in less often. It can be hard for families to see their loved one suffer so sometimes; they disappear even before the funeral happens. Sometimes they remain involved up until the funeral and then begin to show up less often as they get back to the business of their own life. The loneliness can be overwhelming when your loved one is ill especially if you are a primary caregiver. That loneliness can worsen after the death of a loved one.
It's important to acknowledge our emotions after a death. Sometimes we try to suppress them, and it can cause us to struggle long after the death. Often times, people postpone therapy because they fear that it is going to be too hard to talk about it. It's important to trust that your therapist is trained to help keep you safe when you are upset. Expressing our feelings verbally can reduce the risk of us trying to deal with the pain in ways that are not helpful such as alcohol or drug use.
Be sure to prioritize your physical health. You may not feel like eating but your body needs to eat. Some gentle exercise also may help. A walk outdoors can be really helpful. Reach out to friends and family or join a support group. There are many great support groups available. Journaling is another tool that can help you process your feelings. Reflecting on the good memories of your loved one can help some. If you had pictures out for their funeral. those do not immediately need be put away. Take some time looking at them and remembering if it helps you feel better. Sometimes it can be difficult to do that so give yourself permission to put the photos away if it helps. Maybe eventually you'll want to bring them out again when you are ready.
One of the most overwhelming things for people after the death of a loved one is having to deal with all of the legal and financial issues. Dealing with insurance claims and social security benefits can be incredibly stressful. Dealing with someone's estate can add to the emotional distress. Families sometimes argue over belongings after someone dies and this just adds to the pain. It's as though people think if they cling on to certain possessions, it will bring back that loved one. We forget they our loved ones remain with us, in our heart and in our memories. For some people, it can take years to wrap up all of those estate details. This is an important time to ask for help from your loved ones. Learning to delegate some tasks when possible, can help. Identifying what is critical to do and what can wait is important. Making sure the electric bill gets paid and the mortgage gets paid when dealing with the loss of a spouse are important. If possible, it is generally a good idea to consider taking a year to grieve before making any big decisions.
When we are depressed, people tend to want alone time. Sometimes that is needed so we can rest. Our energy levels tend to be lower and sleep patterns are often impacted when we are grieving so you might need more naps. The isolation can add to your grief though. Schedule some activities. Get out of the house even if it is for a shirt trip. Let your loved ones know you are struggling. They don't know what we need unless we tell them. Reaching out to your support system might help reduce those feelings of loneliness. After the loss of a loved one, it can help to pause for a while but getting yourself connected with others can ease the pain. When you have moments during which you smile or laugh, do not feel bad about that. Hang onto the hope that you will get through this. If you feel like you need some help, reach out to us. Having a therapist is a great way to expand our support system. At Best Life Therapy, we are committed to being there for people during some of their most challenging moments.
- posted: Jan. 29, 2025
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is incredibly difficult. The shock, anger and sadness we experience afterwards can make it hard to care for ourselves. Getting out of bed in the morning can be a challenge when we are grieving especially when the shock wears off and the loneliness sets in. When our loved one is ill, depending upon the disease and the level of support, families often gather, bring dinner to ensure everyone is taking care of themselves and call to check on those impacted. They can be a great support. Depending upon the length of that illness, the friends and family sometimes begin to visit, call or check in less often. It can be hard for families to see their loved one suffer so sometimes; they disappear even before the funeral happens. Sometimes they remain involved up until the funeral and then begin to show up less often as they get back to the business of their own life. The loneliness can be overwhelming when your loved one is ill especially if you are a primary caregiver. That loneliness can worsen after the death of a loved one.
It's important to acknowledge our emotions after a death. Sometimes we try to suppress them, and it can cause us to struggle long after the death. Often times, people postpone therapy because they fear that it is going to be too hard to talk about it. It's important to trust that your therapist is trained to help keep you safe when you are upset. Expressing our feelings verbally can reduce the risk of us trying to deal with the pain in ways that are not helpful such as alcohol or drug use.
Be sure to prioritize your physical health. You may not feel like eating but your body needs to eat. Some gentle exercise also may help. A walk outdoors can be really helpful. Reach out to friends and family or join a support group. There are many great support groups available. Journaling is another tool that can help you process your feelings. Reflecting on the good memories of your loved one can help some. If you had pictures out for their funeral. those do not immediately need be put away. Take some time looking at them and remembering if it helps you feel better. Sometimes it can be difficult to do that so give yourself permission to put the photos away if it helps. Maybe eventually you'll want to bring them out again when you are ready.
One of the most overwhelming things for people after the death of a loved one is having to deal with all of the legal and financial issues. Dealing with insurance claims and social security benefits can be incredibly stressful. Dealing with someone's estate can add to the emotional distress. Families sometimes argue over belongings after someone dies and this just adds to the pain. It's as though people think if they cling on to certain possessions, it will bring back that loved one. We forget they our loved ones remain with us, in our heart and in our memories. For some people, it can take years to wrap up all of those estate details. This is an important time to ask for help from your loved ones. Learning to delegate some tasks when possible, can help. Identifying what is critical to do and what can wait is important. Making sure the electric bill gets paid and the mortgage gets paid when dealing with the loss of a spouse are important. If possible, it is generally a good idea to consider taking a year to grieve before making any big decisions.
When we are depressed, people tend to want alone time. Sometimes that is needed so we can rest. Our energy levels tend to be lower and sleep patterns are often impacted when we are grieving so you might need more naps. The isolation can add to your grief though. Schedule some activities. Get out of the house even if it is for a shirt trip. Let your loved ones know you are struggling. They don't know what we need unless we tell them. Reaching out to your support system might help reduce those feelings of loneliness. After the loss of a loved one, it can help to pause for a while but getting yourself connected with others can ease the pain. When you have moments during which you smile or laugh, do not feel bad about that. Hang onto the hope that you will get through this. If you feel like you need some help, reach out to us. Having a therapist is a great way to expand our support system. At Best Life Therapy, we are committed to being there for people during some of their most challenging moments.
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- Photo taken at Flushing County Park, Michigan