The process of grieving is different for everyone, but there are some universal stages. Any loss is difficult, but with the right attitude and a plan of action, it can be easier to handle.

How you address your grief makes all the difference in the healing process. Moreover, your actions can either shorten the time it takes to overcome your grief or they can prolong it.

With these tips from HealGrief, you can ensure a faster grieving process on your path to recovery.

Identify Triggers

Medical News Today notes that everyone has triggers that cause stress. When you know what your triggers are, you can take steps to avoid them when possible. Consider keeping a journal of when you feel triggered and what the cause was behind it. This will help you narrow down and identify your triggers as you work towards healthy healing during times of grief.

A common source of stress is being in a job that no longer brings you fulfillment. It can make you feel trapped, and when you bring those worries home it can become a 24/7 issue. One solution is to change jobs in your field, or even another industry altogether. This calls for making sure you have an updated resume on hand. It’s possible to create a slick, eye-catching resume with the many online resources. For starters, check out these resume templates, which allow you to customize and download a resume you’ll be able to confidently send to prospective employers.

Accept That Grieving Is a Process

There will be moments of sadness and other feelings that come up when you’re grieving. The good news is that you don’t have to hold on to those feelings forever.

Understand that grieving is a natural process. It’s OK to feel sad and down, as these feelings will eventually pass in the natural course of your healing.

Take Care of Yourself

Any time you go through moments of sadness and grief, you have to take care of yourself. That starts with eating right and getting enough sleep. You can make sure that you are taking care of your mental health by spending time with friends or doing hobbies you enjoy.

Stay Connected

One of the hardest things about grieving is making yourself stay connected with others. It’s natural to isolate yourself when you’re feeling sad, but it can also be quite unhealthy. Some isolation is OK, but, as Mayo Clinic points out, it’s important to make an effort to maintain your connections with friends and family.

Consider scheduling a walk with a close friend. Get outside and get in touch with nature. You will be doing yourself a great service in your efforts to overcome grief.

Meditate

Meditation has proven itself to be a wonderful tool for combating a wide range of negative emotions. If you’re grieving, you should seriously consider implementing meditation in your daily routine.

You can take group classes or perform meditation in the privacy of your home. If you don’t have a serene space that’s ideal for meditation, consider creating one. You might need to declutter your home, which can be incredibly beneficial when grieving.

Clutter creates stress, which doesn’t do you any favors when you’re grieving. So make an effort to declutter by rearranging closets, cleaning out closets, and getting rid of anything that isn’t conducive to a calming environment.

Adopt a Pet

Grief often comes with feelings of loneliness and despair. Many people have found that taking on new responsibilities can help reduce those negative feelings. And one way that tends to do wonders for grief is adopting a pet.

Dogs are especially helpful in this regard, as they are called “man’s best friend” for a reason. Your new furry friend can give you purpose, motivation, and joy.

Play Music

Are you musically inclined? It’s no secret that music can elicit a wide range of emotions. So if you have the natural ability to play music, it can help you work through your grief and come out stronger.

If you don’t play music, listening to it is the next best thing. Try listening to tunes that lift you up and help you feel more hopeful for the future, and you will be well on your way to healthy healing.

With these tips in mind, you’ll be better able to cope with your loss. Just remember that healthy grieving does take time, so be good to yourself during the process. Be patient, and realize that better days are ahead.

Written by: Lucille Rosetti

Image courtesy of Unsplash