How to Engage in Self-Care While Grieving
Many caregivers watch their loved ones endure a long, slow decline that will eventually end in death. As they age, we grieve every mental and physical loss they incur. At the same time, we struggle with mixed emotions about how their passing will bring an end to their discomfort and indignities. Some struggle greatly with both dread and anticipation when it comes to thoughts of a loved one’s death.
The whole process is nearly too much to bear. Rather than facing the complexities of our anticipatory grief, far too many of us stuff our emotions deep down in an attempt to simply get on with life. This approach may enable us to get through our day-to-day responsibilities, but it isn’t a healthy or sustainable way of coping with these difficult yet very normal feelings.
Healthier Ways to Handle Grief
No matter how hard we try to suppress them, challenging emotions like sadness, fear, anger, confusion, shock, loneliness, guilt, and regret always manage to surface in one way or another. Grief is a mentally exhausting process that can cloud our judgment, impair our ability to focus, and leave us feeling scattered, but these feelings can affect our physical health as well. This is why self-care is crucial for caregivers, especially those who are experiencing anticipatory grief or have recently suffered a loss.
Prioritize Your Physical Health: It can be very easy to neglect your physical needs while grieving. As difficult as it may seem, making every effort to get adequate sleep, eat nutritionally balanced meals, and fit in regular exercise and intentional relaxation can do wonders.
“Sleep is one of the best medical ‘treatments’ available, especially for grief and shock,” says Margo Rose, a fitness trainer with more than 15 years of experience who specializes in…
Continue reading on Agingcare for more on how we can help ourselves while we process grief:
Helpful Tools:
Stay connected with Memoryboard: Designed by caregivers. Memoryboard helps families share reminders, messages, updates, and photos on an easy-to-use screen designed for people with dementia. Peace of mind for families, independence for loved ones.
Leslie Kernisan, MD, MPH, has opened up support! View two free caregiving webinars that can help you help your older parents (and yourself).
Discover the Difference. EGOSAN: The premium incontinence brand caregivers love: They save work! Now Available on Amazon.
Wetness indicator and alert to help manage incontinence with dignity. SenecaSense Home: Discreet Support That Restores Comfort and Confidence
