According to a study in the National Library of Medicine, while most bereaved people overcome their grief, grief becomes prolonged or complicated in 10% of cases. Morbidities associated with complicated grief are severe, leading to anxiety (17.2%), depressive illness (9.7%), poor quality of life, and risk of suicide.
Grief recovery can take time, especially since there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Beginning this process, however, can help you enjoy your golden years in Columbus, IN, a city rich in unique architecture and modern art.
Not sure how to start healing after loss? Read on for our tips on coping with grief.
Express Your Emotions
Avoid isolating yourself after losing a loved one. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated one in four older people experiences social isolation. Social isolation can affect your mental and physical health, longevity, and quality of life.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, social isolation and loneliness can increase your risk for:
- Dementia
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Anxiety and depression
- Self-harm and suicidality
- Earlier death
Instead of isolating yourself, reach out to friends and family members. They can help you begin coping with grief.
Socializing and Healing After Loss
Socializing while in grief recovery can seem overwhelming. Don’t rush yourself. Instead, apply these tips at your own pace.
Consider scheduling lunch one-on-one with a friend. Work your way up to group activities.
These low-stress, informal activities can help you get comfortable socializing again. When you’re ready, explore your senior living community’s activities calendar. You can find engaging group activities that will encourage you to socialize.
You can find other community resources through:
- Your local library
- Senior living community programs
- Faith-based groups
Friends may not know how to talk to or comfort you, especially if they haven’t experienced loss themselves. Try to be patient. Some awkwardness is normal.
Seek Professional Treatment
Failing to seek grief support now could cause your grief to worsen. Prolonged grief disorder is an intense, persistent grief that can interfere with your ability to function. It can cause:
- Emotional numbness
- Feeling that life is meaningless
- Identity disruption
- Intense longing
- Significant distress
- Avoiding reminders about the loved one
- Intense loneliness and detachment
- Problems completing routine tasks
According to the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health, prolonged grief disorder is associated with depression, suicidality, and other concerns. If these symptoms sound familiar, seek senior emotional wellness counseling.
Bereavement counseling can help you navigate loss and grief. You may work with a:
- Counselor
- Psychologist
- Therapist
Grief therapy can help you address physical or behavioral problems in the aftermath of a loss. Techniques may include:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Group therapy
- Art therapy
- Play therapy
ACT will encourage you to accept negative feelings, allowing you to focus on healthier behaviors. CBT involves identifying thought patterns that can influence your behavior. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, CBT-based interventions provided a greater overall benefit than non-CBT interventions.
Consider Grief Support
Joining a support group will allow you to build your community. You can connect with other seniors who have experience coping with grief. Their suggestions and strategies can help you build emotional resilience.
You can find support groups through your senior living community or:
- Online
- Local hospitals
- Religious groups
Anticipate Triggers
Your therapist can help you identify and anticipate triggers that may cause grief. These can include:
- Anniversaries
- Important milestones
- Birthdays
- Holidays
A trigger can awaken your grief and other intense feelings. Work with your therapist to navigate these triggers and their impact.
Consider using these events as opportunities to honor your loved one. You can celebrate among friends and family instead of grieving alone. For example, you can:
- Share memories
- Create a scrapbook
- Host a celebration of life ceremony
- Plant a tree or start a garden
Express gratitude for the time you had with your loved one. Honoring your loved one among friends can help you focus on the positive impact they had on your life.
Practice Self-Care
Coping with grief can take a physical, mental, and emotional toll. Make time to practice self-care to regulate your senior emotional wellness.
Prioritize Health
You may start neglecting your physical health, especially if you’re isolating yourself. Make time to:
- Eat healthy, balanced meals
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise
- Socialize
Taking care of yourself will combat stress, which could make coping with grief easier.
It’s normal to lose interest in cooking or eating after losing a loved one. Try using mealtimes as an opportunity to socialize. You can enjoy your senior living community’s dining program together.
Use your senior living community’s fitness program to exercise regularly. For example, you can join a walking group or take a yoga class. Your friends can hold you accountable to participate.
Engage in Activities
It’s normal to lose interest in hobbies while healing from loss. According to the National Institute on Aging, engaging in social and productive activities you enjoy can:
- Lower your risk of developing some health problems
- Improve your mood and reduce your risk of depression
- Increase life satisfaction
- Extend your lifespan
- Make you more resilient
- Improve cognitive function
Engaging in activities can enhance mental wellness for seniors. Use creative outlets to positively express your emotions. You can:
- Write in a journal
- Write poetry
- Play an instrument
- Cooking
- Join a book or film club
- Visit local museums
- Volunteer
- Read
- Dance
- Paint or draw
Explore your senior living community’s activities calendar for upcoming events. You can participate with friends who share common interests, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Begin the Grief Recovery Process
Remember, healing after loss can take time, but there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Use these strategies as you begin the grief recovery process. You can always ask for help and grief support in Columbus, IN.
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Discover our exclusive senior lifestyle programs, including Sensations Dining, Celebrations Activities & Events, and more for curated care. Contact us now to schedule a tour.
