Important things to help you survive your grief journey:
Grief takes it's toll on the mental and physical parts of the body. Most don't realize this until they suffer a significant loss in their life. Sudden losses where there wasn't any warning or a chance for a loved one to say good bye are emotionally and physically traumatizing to the body. In fact, studies have shown when your emotional reactions aren't appropriately processed, that grief may go underground and set the stage for cancer to occur. Therefore, I urge everyone experiencing traumatic grief to make an appointment to let the doctor know what happened to you and your family. It was at my appointment that the urgent care doctor told me about the loss of his brother. I had a cordial conversation with the assurance from him that things do get better. Secondly, make sure you drink a lot of water. While this may sound elementary, doctors remind us that forgetting to drink enough water while grieving is very common. We need water to help the body heal! Third, if you are struggling with night terrors on the way your loved one died, tell your doctor because you may need a sleep aide or a low level of anti-anxiety medication to help you function in the day to day life. Your body typically needs from 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night, anything less will complicate your grief journey. Forth, find people you can trust who are willing to walk with you on this journey. You will discover that while there may be many who will choose not to be there for you, there will be other's that will come along side you. Fifth, start a journal and if you attend a faith based community keep attending ( you will discover people who will encourage you with a kind word you needed to hear. This battle is winnable- but you can't win it if you quit.
Grief takes it's toll on the mental and physical parts of the body. Most don't realize this until they suffer a significant loss in their life. Sudden losses where there wasn't any warning or a chance for a loved one to say good bye are emotionally and physically traumatizing to the body. In fact, studies have shown when your emotional reactions aren't appropriately processed, that grief may go underground and set the stage for cancer to occur. Therefore, I urge everyone experiencing traumatic grief to make an appointment to let the doctor know what happened to you and your family. It was at my appointment that the urgent care doctor told me about the loss of his brother. I had a cordial conversation with the assurance from him that things do get better. Secondly, make sure you drink a lot of water. While this may sound elementary, doctors remind us that forgetting to drink enough water while grieving is very common. We need water to help the body heal! Third, if you are struggling with night terrors on the way your loved one died, tell your doctor because you may need a sleep aide or a low level of anti-anxiety medication to help you function in the day to day life. Your body typically needs from 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night, anything less will complicate your grief journey. Forth, find people you can trust who are willing to walk with you on this journey. You will discover that while there may be many who will choose not to be there for you, there will be other's that will come along side you. Fifth, start a journal and if you attend a faith based community keep attending ( you will discover people who will encourage you with a kind word you needed to hear. This battle is winnable- but you can't win it if you quit.