We each have our own way of surviving losses. Some of us will seek solitude and find that the
well-intentioned inquiries and expressions of sympathy from others only revive the pain. However, as in
recovering from any trauma, physical or mental, a progressive return to our usual life of work, family, and
friends is most important. The longer we put it off, the slower our recovery will be. We can begin to help
ourselves by thinking through the challenges of starting to live without the deceased person. Perhaps outlining a
schedule of the day-to-day tasks can help us to structure our day and get us moving back into a normal routine.
Reconnecting with friends, going back to work or school, and beginning to pick up the threads of our lives can
help us to deal with feelings of numbness, lethargy, and paralysis.
Attending to our physical needs is essential during this time. Get enough sleep. Go to bed a bit earlier and sleep a
bit later. Plan your meals so that you are eating properly. Work some exercise into your daily routine. Remember
just as our emotional self is affected by the loss of a loved one, so is our physical self. Even having a physical
exam by a physician can help us to take care of ourselves as we continue to heal.