As the days and weeks of quarantine go by, I’m seeing more and more people who are grieving. People are dying from the virus and other causes. And this is terrible under normal circumstances. But things aren’t normal right now.
Collectively, as a nation, we’re all grieving the loss of normalcy. Our life as we knew it has been turned upside down. And that, in and of itself, is hard to deal with. But adding in all of the secondary losses (no school, vacations, graduations, weddings, funerals, the list goes on) surrounding our situation and the feelings can be crippling.
Awhile back I compiled some tips for coping with loss. I think it’s worth sharing these tips again. Don’t forget to talk to your children and help them cope; they’re grieving, too.
7 Tips for Coping with Loss
- Physical exercise along with progressive relaxation will improve sleep and concentration.
- Keep a journal: write through your sleeplessness and change the ending of your nightmares.
- Talk to people; talking is one of the most healing activities. It is how we let go of stress.
- Give yourself permission to feel rotten and have a grieving day. Remember on these days to share your feelings with others.
- Resist the temptation to isolate yourself. Call/FaceTime/Zoom or text with friends and family.
- Give yourself permission to escape from your new reality and have moments of happiness.
- Get plenty of rest and eat regular meals even if you don’t feel like it
Stay well.