Welcome to our new hub for all of our best self-care ideas for the times when you are coping with grief and loss.
There are many things we can do to help us reduce our stress levels, process our loss, relax and find meaning in our lives again.
We have worked with several experts in the bereavement field to bring you strategies which have been studied in those coping with loss and which have been shown to be effective in helping with feelings of grief.
Not all of the activities will be suitable for everyone. We are all different. Try what appeals to you most or maybe combine one or two different activities. The important thing is that you should feel good and that the activities shouldn't become a chore or just another task that needs to be completed.
The best self-care idea for you is the one that works best for you.
We have a several different groups of activities. Those that tap into your creativity, writing or journaling, mindfulness and movement, and finally a page of lots of different ideas for bringing joy back into your life.
Grief Journaling:
Benefits of Journaling through Grief
Ideas for Writing in Your Grief Journal
20 Years of Grief Journaling - My Story - By Sue McDonald
Expressive Arts:
Art Based Journaling after the Loss of my Mother - Irene Renzenbrink
Expressing Grief through the Arts, Dance, Music, Theatre and Writing
Many people will tell you that any form of exercise is good for us. It helps release stress and calms the mind. It can get us out of our houses and into nature. Some of the ancient forms of movement, such as Tai Chi and Yoga can be particularly beneficial for soothing mind and body and can be practiced by all ages.
Here are some pages on some of the ways you can practice self-care through mindfulness practices.
How Yoga Supported My Journey Through Grief
Grieving Mindfully by Joanne Cacciatore
Relaxation Techniques for Grief Anxiety
The following page contains many more ideas for self-care. They will help you to get out and about and find connection with your community as well as help you to get fit and healthy.
We hope that you find the best one for you!
Activities - Things to Do to Keep Positive and Healthy
If you still find you're having difficulties, in spite of all your best self-care efforts, getting some counseling is also an important way of giving yourself self-care. It shows a great deal of self-awareness and courage to admit that you need help and it can be really useful for a lot of people. You can read about getting online counseling just below.
Get Expert and Effective Help in the Comfort of Your Own Home
The following information about online counseling is sponsored by 'Betterhelp' but all the opinions are our own. To be upfront, we do receive a commission when you sign up with 'Betterhelp', but we have total faith in their expertise and would never recommend something we didn't completely approve.
Do you feel alone and sad with no support and no idea how to move forward? It can be tough when you are stuck in grief to find the motivation to get the most out of your precious life.
Online counseling can help by giving you that support so you don't feel so alone. You can have someone to talk to anytime you like, a kind and understanding person who will help you to find meaning in life again, to treasure the memories of your loved one without being overwhelmed and to enjoy your activities, family and friends again.
Sales from our pages result in a small commission to us which helps us to continue our work supporting the grieving.
Try a gentle hypnotherapy track to relax the mind. Learn how self-hypnosis can help you cope with grief at any time of the day or night.
Sales from our pages result in a small commission to us which helps us to continue our work supporting the grieving.
Check out our lovely range of memorial jewelry for any lost loved one. Pendants, necklaces, rings or bracelets, we have them all in all kinds of styles. Choose for yourself or buy as a sympathy gift.
Honour your loved one with their own memorial website. Share photos, videos, memories and more with your family and friends in a permanent online website. Free for basic plan with no ads.
For USA Residents:
Please help our colleagues at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, USA by joining in their research study:
Losing a child to cancer is devastating, and there is a critical need to develop effective supports.
A federally-funded study in the United States (US) evaluating different types of support for bereaved parents is currently seeking participants. Parents residing in the US may be eligible if they lost a child diagnosed with cancer at least 6 months ago and live in one of the following states: NY, NJ, PA, CT, FL, or TN (other eligible states are being added, please complete the survey to check with us).
To find out if you may be eligible, please click here, visit our website at bereavedparentsupportstudy.com, or email us at parentstudy@mskcc.org.
Our free downloadable and printable document "The 10 Most Important Things You Can Do To Survive Your Grief And Get On With Life" will help you to be positive day to day.
The 10 points are laid out like a poem on two pretty pages which you can pin on your fridge door to help you every day!
All you have to do to receive this free document is fill in your email address below.
You will also receive our newsletter which we send out from time to time with our newest comforting and helpful information. You can unsubscribe any time you like, and don't worry, your email address is totally safe with us.
NEW BONUS - Also receive a copy of our short eBook - '99 Ways to Spot a Great Grief Counselor'. Available for instant download as soon as you sign up. Never waste money on poor counseling again!