Coping with Grief

1. Talk ..... Talk about your loss.Acknowledge your feelings. Find a friend or family member who can help you release your emotions without judging you. Often this will help the healing begin.

2. Activity ..... Determine to actively move again. Activity is a part of balance and homeostasis. It may be difficult to mobilize yourself at first as work or things you pursued with interest before may now appear as drudgery. But work has therapeutic value. Be kind to yourself and understand your limitations. Your level of performance will most likely only gradually return to normal. Activity is important but patience with yourself is essential.

3. Keep a Schedule ..... Keep prodding yourself into doing things that are part of a normal routine. This can begin to normalize your life. These activities may seem senseless but they give anchors to your day.

4. Other-Service ..... Do something for someone else. Benefiting someone else, even when you are hurting, helps you respect yourself.

5. Self-Service ..... Do small acts of service for yourself. Don't expect others to. Have a warm bath at night. Buy yourself a bouquet of flowers. Listen to music. Remember that others cannot know your thoughts and needs so must be your own "best doctor".

6. Hope ..... Believe in a brighter future. Believe in the ability of human beings to transform things that are hurtful and devastating into an experience of worth.