Coping with Anxiety and Depression After Losing a Loved One by Lucille Rosetti

There is no greater pain in this life than the pain of tragically losing someone we love. If you’ve lost a loved one, you may be dealing with grief, anxiety, or depression as you struggle to cope with this monumental loss. You might be wondering how to move forward with your life. Here, are some ways you can deal with the anxiety and/or depression that results from the tragic loss of a loved one:

• Take it one day at a time. Sheryl Sandberg is famous for disrupting Silicon Valley, changing Facebook’s bereavement policies, and for encouraging working women through her book, Lean In. However, when she lost her husband unexpectedly while on vacation in 2015, she found herself dealing with something new: her own grief.
  To move through her grief, she says she journaled. When people asked her how she was doing, she focused on how she was doing that particular day (because how you’re doing can change from day to day throughout the grief process). If needed, she allowed her mother to comfort her while she cried herself to sleep. Grief, and our own vulnerability to it, is what makes us human.
• Get Help Around the House. When you’re grieving, doing the dishes and folding the laundry are the last things on your mind. Therefore, you might consider asking someone to help you with cleaning and other household chores during this difficult time. You could start by asking a friend, loved one, or even a trusted coworker. If you don’t know anyone who is able or willing to help, don’t worry. There are many professional maids and cleaning services who can assist you.
• Ease your mind. That doesn’t necessarily mean occupying your mind. Although staying busy can distract you from your grief, it has mixed results and may not be as helpful in the long-term as you think. Instead, try self-care and self soothing. Yoga and meditation classes have been shown effective in helping those in bereavement. A good way to get yourself into the proper frame of mind is to try some comfortable clothes suited to the activity. If you’re not into yoga, support groups for those who are grieving can be an excellent place to start.
• Connect with others. It’s normal for the grieving to isolate themselves, but this can turn problematic over time. You need to be around others to ensure your healing begins. While it might feel intimidating, connecting with others will be a boon. EricsHouse makes this easier by offering local groups where people can come together to share, learn, and grow.
• Change your scenery. While it’s not recommended that you move right away after the loss of a loved one, a fresh start can be a beneficial way to move toward healing. When you feel like it’s time, clearing out your loved one’s items, decluttering your home and planning to buy something new paves the way for a new future. Find out what you can comfortably afford, work with an estate agent who understands your situation, and take heart in turning a page.

Seeking Help

It’s important to note that sometimes we do need help moving through our grief, anxiety and depression. If your feelings are becoming so overwhelming that they are interfering with your daily life, or if you’re having thoughts of harm or suicide, it’s important to seek help from a trained professional. Licensed therapists and grief counselors can provide support and recommend next steps for treating anxiety and depression. 

When it comes to grief, there’s no reason to suffer in silence all alone. You will get through this. Taking advantage of these resources can help reduce your anxiety and depression as you grieve.

This article is brought to you by EricsHouse, where we work to inspire hope, healing, and new beginnings for people who have suddenly lost someone they love.  With a specialization in substance and suicide losses, we walk alongside our clients with understanding, compassion, and encouragement so that they may achieve emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. For more information, contact us today!