Taking Care of Yourself While Grieving
Grieving the loss of a loved one can take the life right out of you, leaving you feeling dry and desolate like trying to pour from an empty cup. It impacts your whole being and total wellness and can compromise your immune system, thinking, memory, and decision making. It is critical that you intentionally “fill up your cup” (take care of yourself), despite the numbness of grief. Slow down. Keep things as simple as possible and listen to what your body and spirit tell you. Give attention to where you need help the most, starting with your most basic needs: Rest, nutrition, security, fresh air, sunlight, fellowship, and support. Advocate for your needs where you are able and where you are not, find someone who can advocate for you. Ask for and accept help.
Give yourself permission to step back from the fast pace of the world and courageously examine what you are feeling. Grief is hard work and it can’t be rushed so be patient and flexible with yourself. Experience your grief at a pace that is most comfortable for you.
Psalm 23 is a great reflection for the weary and the brokenhearted, and in particular verses 2-3 which speaks to the importance of our topic this month of self-care.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:2-3 RSVCE
It speaks of God’s care and compassion when we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death. In grief, we may be blind to our need for rest and our loving Father is there to lead us to “green pastures” and “still waters”. It is there that He is able to renew and replenish us providing courage, comfort, and eventually even abundance.
In this month’s articles, we hope to bring you some ideas to help you take better care of yourself during these difficult days of grieving. Have faith that, with God by your side, in His perfect timing, you will proclaim as the psalmist David did, “My cup runneth over” and one day you will look up and “find mercy and goodness following you all of your days”. To God be the glory!
