Loss comes in many forms, but the death of a spouse after years of marriage may be the hardest to handle. For a long time, you were used to being ‘we,’ and now, you are just ‘me.’
Eventually you will rediscover that life is a glorious gift, and you can continue to enjoy it even when you find yourself alone and missing your companion of many years.
It is easy for grief to overwhelm you as you move through it, but there are ways to make the process easier. Surround yourself with good friends and make time for self-care. A continuing care retirement community makes it possible. While you are working through your grief, use these tips to help yourself ease into a better place mentally, emotionally, and physically:
- Acknowledge Your Sadness: Understand that it is normal to go through a wide range of emotions. One day, you may find that tears well up in your eyes frequently and you cry a lot. Other days may seem lighter, and you find it easier to smile and laugh more. Some days you may feel angry at your partner for leaving you. Other times you may feel guilt for being the one who gets to live longer. The key to coping with grief is acknowledging you are sad and giving yourself some grace to handle all the emotions you experience.
- Take Care of Your Physical Needs: Grief can make it much harder to do everyday tasks. When you are used to sipping coffee and enjoying the first meal of the day with your loved one, eating breakfast alone can become a chore. The loss of your spouse may leave you without an appetite and you may find it challenging to get a good night’s sleep. Remember that a sound body is the home of a sound mind. It’s vital to your overall health to take care of yourself.
- Eat Healthy: While you may not feel like eating in the days following your loved one’s demise, your body needs the nutrients to help you stay strong and active for those days when you feel better.
- Get Enough Sleep: The hours you rest are rejuvenating for your body which helps with emotional healing.
- Exercise: Increasing your physical activity strengthens your bones and muscles. As you burn calories, your body’s natural instinct to replenish your energy will give you a healthy appetite. The positive energy helps boost your mood.
- Make an Effort to Socialize: You may want to be alone, and sometimes that is okay. However, getting together with friends and family is a wonderful way to find healing. For example, an evening spent chatting about fond memories of your loved one can help everyone with their grief.
- Seek Spiritual Comfort: Many people find that connecting or reconnecting with their chosen faith is a way to overcome grief. You may find that speaking with your religious leader is an excellent place to start. Praying, meditating, reading spiritual texts, or listening to sermons may bring you comfort and help you heal.
Find Comfort and Camaraderie at Wesley Enhanced Living
Give yourself the time to grieve over the loss of your loved one. When the time is right, consider making a move to a Wesley Enhanced Living community. We offer our residents everything they need to heal and move on after the death of a spouse. Our dedicated dietary staff, social events, and exercise classes will help take care of your physical and emotional needs. You will grow to love your new home with new friends that become your family – and they will support you as you work through your grieving process. You can choose independent living, personal care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing, depending on your needs. Let the next stage of your life begin comfortably in the company of your friends at Wesley Enhanced Living.
We provide high-quality senior retirement communities for you or your loved ones. Contact one of our Philadelphia area locations and find out why our seniors love where they live. Our staff is happy to discuss your elder’s needs or your own and inform you of our range of services. Virtual tours are now available. Call us today for more information.