Keeping Busy Can Aid Recovery While Grieving

Grief, by nature, is a process which turns a person’s emotions inward. Few things matter outside of the internal sorrow, pain, and loss. Even eating, hygiene, work and other family members can fall by the wayside as the bereaved person tries to cope with their grief.

While grieving, it is important to take care of yourself, care for your health needs, eat nutritious and balanced meals, and stay active. Grieving is a process and may take weeks, months or even years. For some, especially bereaved parents and siblings, the grieving process may last a lifetime because the memory of the loss never really goes away.

Keeping busy can speed your recovery during the grieving process. How? Being busy will allow you to focus your attention on things outside of yourself.

What can I do to stay busy at home?
There are many things you might consider to stay active during the grieving process. If you don’t feel like going out of the house, you may find an outlet by concentrating on housework or a hobby. Cooking, baking, reading, cleaning, or working on artwork can occupy your mind, give you time to clear your thoughts, and keep your hands busy. Listening to music, recorded literature, or watching a movie can also be helpful. Such things create alternate thought processes, giving your mind a brief respite from your grief. You may even enjoy inviting a friend over to share these activities with you.

What can I do if I want to go out?
When you feel like being out, shopping and errands can keep your thoughts on other things. A meal with a friend can be relaxing and refreshing. A trip to the movie theater will allow you to be out of the house. At the same time, if your thoughts wander and you feel the need to cry, the dark room can let you feel less self-conscious about letting go of your tears. Having a supportive friend present at such times is often better than "going-it" alone.

Doing volunteer work is a great way to keep busy as you grieve. Working to help others encourages you to use your personal experiences and talents. It also gives you a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of satisfaction.

Working with others eases the loneliness and sadness felt after the loss of a loved one. If you like working with children, you might volunteer your time at a library or work with a literacy program which teaches children to read. Homeless shelters and food pantries are always in need of volunteers. Hospitals, nursing homes and disease-related research charities also appreciate the help of any who volunteer their time and services.

Keeping busy at home and away will help keep your mind occupied, focus your attention outside of your own grief, and help you to establish a new routine that can continue after the bulk of your grief has diminished.

By: ThingsNeverSaid

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The online memorial site, ThingsNeverSaid.com, was created by Mr. Ahdoot and Mr. Sermons after both suffered personal loss. We believe those who touch our lives should be remembered and honored, and sincerely hope our site will help you in moving forward from grief to a place of comfort, healing, and recovery.