8 Tips to Deal with Grief Burnout
Here are 8 tips and tools that I used to maneuver through the grief burnout experience:
- It’s more exhausting fighting the exhaustion, so I don’t fight it. I sometimes sit and read, or listen to podcasts at any hour of the day. I need to let my body, mind and spirit rest. Rest is an act of self love and necessary.
- I walk my dogs…a lot. It gives me a chance to be in nature, let my mind wander and exercise my body at the same time. I don’t have to think, I can just be. Exercise helps the body release stress and being in nature helps the mind rest. It’s a form of meditation.
- I express my feeling with people who just listen. No advice, opinions or sympathy. I want to talk so I can gain clarity. I ask for what I need and find it with people who can fulfill my emotional needs.
- Writing this article for FamilyAffaires.com is another form of self expression that’s different from talking. Expressing emotions in more than one way helps process the grief.
- I engage with a coach. Yes, a professional engages with a professional. They have a different perspective than family and friends..
- Routine is healthy. It puts the mind to good use. I do this by having one foot still in my businesses, doing chores, running errands, etc.
- I practice gratitude. It balances perspective and engages my mind to seek out peace and joy.
- Lastly I use humor. The ability to laugh at myself and the world bring balance to my mind, body and spirit. It is a skill that has a grounding effect. With grief burnout grounding is super important.
Grief burnout can be either a debilitating experience or empowering and purposeful. I have chosen empowering and purposeful. I have been stepping away from life, the purpose, to cocoon, recover and make sense of it all. I have one step in life, the purpose, to maintain stability and routine. Grief burnout is a transition. Honor it. It’s purpose is to create well being.
