Coping with loss
Today as I write this article, I feel strong emotions. We have all been incredibly effected in one way or another by the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the II.
This loss of our beautiful Queen has been felt across the world on every single continent. Our grief has been demonstrated by the incredible outpouring of emotion and love from people all around the world.
The 70 year reign of the Queen gave us all so much, It’s almost insurmountable to describe. Her amazing strength of character knew no bonds and our country will never be the same again.
Many people will be feeling a sense of bereavement over the coming weeks and months and our health can be severely effected by these feelings.
Bereavement, grief and loss can cause many different symptoms and they affect people in different ways. There's no right or wrong way to feel.
As well as bereavement, there are other types of loss such as the end of a relationship or losing a job or home.
Some of the most common symptoms include: shock and numbness, this is usually the first reaction to loss, and people often talk about "being in a daze”. As we start to come to terms with our loss we can feel overwhelming sadness, often people will feel very tired and exhausted from constant feelings of turmoil. Many times we feel anger or guilt associated with our loss.
These feelings may not be there all the time and powerful feelings may appear unexpectedly.
It's not always easy to recognise when bereavement, grief or loss are the reason you're acting or feeling differently.
Do you think you are suffering with the feelings that I have described above? If you are, then I have some gentle ideas to hopefully help you start to feel better.
Sleeping well will be one of the keys areas for you to regain your feeling of happiness. So do your best to keep your sleep hygiene in check and rest often.
Perhaps try writing a journal before bed, this can organise your thoughts and clear your mind of any distractions.
Communicating our feelings will also help us heal during a time of grief. Try talking to friends and family, sharing will always help us to release tension.
If you are consuming excessive alcohol during a time of stress and sadness, it can increase the feelings of loss and also effect your sleep.
Another area which will gently allow you to improve your mood is regular exercise. A walk after lunch of before you settle down for the evening can be perfect for releasing the happy chemicals in our brains.
Making healthy choices about your diet can also make you feel emotionally stronger. You're doing something positive for yourself, which lifts your self-esteem.
A good diet helps your brain and body work efficiently, too. Aim to have a balanced diet that includes all the main food groups.
Allow yourself time to heal and cherish all the wonderful memories we have to hold onto forever.
If you would like to seek further advise you can contact http://www.cruse.org.uk/ who will be able to help.