GRIEF DURING THE PANDEMIC

At Lighting The Way, my goal is to help the people of Colorado Springs process grief in a healthy way. Grieving takes time, and I’m here to provide you with the tools and resources needed to help make that process as easy as possible. I integrate the Grief Recovery Method into my programs because I have seen firsthand how helpful it is in helping people during the grieving process. The Grief Recovery Method is an invaluable tool to help people wade through the many emotions that accompany loss.

Grief is a natural reaction to a significant loss of any kind, whether that’s the loss of a job or a loved one. During the past year and a half, we’ve had to experience many losses. Our daily routines were completely flipped upside down and suddenly, we had to find new ways to fulfill ourselves. Sadly, many of us also lost loved ones and had to process that in a completely new way due to certain restrictions. Whether you lost a family member, a job or experienced postpartum during the pandemic, it’s important to know that your loss is valid, and that there are ways to heal.

What Is Grief?

No two experiences with grief are the same. Grief is your reaction to an individual or universal loss, and your experience as you process the emotions that come with it is unique. . Although people usually focus on the emotional effects of grief, you may also experience behavioral, physical, social and spiritual effects throughout your grief process.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve, but there are helpful and not-so-helpful ways to grieve. Grief can be an overwhelming feeling, and during the pandemic, it’s easy for that feeling to seem amplified. However, there are tools you can use to help ease the effects of grief and help make the process a bit easier, especially during such a hard time like the pandemic. 

Grieving During The Pandemic

There are many ways to help make grieving during the pandemic a bit easier on yourself. We must acknowledge that these are unprecedented times, and focus on our grief to ensure that it doesn’t take over our lives.

1. Create a daily routine: Having a structure to your day is extremely beneficial while you’re grieving a loss. Creating a daily routine that you stick to is helpful in making sure you do certain tasks, and holds you accountable to staying productive.
   • Try and start your day at the same time each day.
   • Create a to-do list and mark things off as you complete them.
   • Plan your day in chunks. Have a set time for eating, exercising and watching movies.
   • Make sure you set aside time to grieve. Although it may seem unnatural to set aside time to focus on your loss and be sad, it’s important to allow yourself to feel your emotions and make sure that you’re not trying to bury them.
2. Prioritize self-care: Grieving can be an extremely stressful process, and it’s important to check in and make sure you’re taking care of yourself.
   • Try to eat at least two meals a day, even if you don’t have much of an appetite.
   • Incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Exercise releases endorphins, which tell your brain to trigger a positive mood.
   • Give yoga or meditation a try. Including a relaxation exercise in your routine can help calm your anxiety.
   • Begin journaling. Writing down your thoughts is a wonderful way to help process your emotions.
3. Ask for support: Experiencing a loss during the pandemic can feel extremely lonely. It’s vital to keep in touch with those that you care about, and to ask for help if you need it. Even though you may feel alone, it’s important to remind yourself that you’re not.
   • Keep in touch with friends and family, even if you don’t feel like it. Schedule virtual happy hours and Facetimes to help you feel included in your friends and family’s lives.
   • Make a virtual appointment with a grief counselor. This is a wonderful option if you’re not comfortable going to see someone in person. It’s important to find ways to talk to professionals and make sure you’re still prioritizing your emotions.
4. Make plans for after the pandemic: Having something to look forward to is a simple way to help you feel in control, especially when grief can seem like it’s taking over.
   • If you lost a loved one and weren’t able to have a memorial due to the pandemic, plan a service now.
   • Research support groups and see if there’s a group you’re interested in attending.
   • Create a to-do list of any attractions or sites you would like to visit.
   • Plan to host a dinner party for your friends and family.

Learn Healthy Ways To Grieve During The Pandemic

Even though it’s easy to feel overwhelmed during the pandemic, it’s important to prioritize your well-being and check in with how grief may be affecting you. Whether you would like to learn more about The Grief Recovery Method, or are interested in discussing the losses you’ve experienced during the pandemic, I’m here to help you in any way that I can. Please contact me to learn more about how I can help you through your grieving process in a beneficial and productive way.