Better Weather and Breaking Away from Grief

Winter is finally behind us. The winter months are often very hard for those who are grieving. Death occurs most often in the month of November, and then we have Thanksgiving and the winter holidays to really feel the impact of those we lost, as we realize there is one less person at the table. On top of all of that, shorter days and frigid weather makes us feel isolated and want to stay at home. Now that Spring is here, you can more easily take a step in the right direction towards recovery. What will be discussed here are more common ways to help yourself overcome grief in the Spring. 

Taking a Walk

Exercise is a great way to start breaking out of your despair, but it can be a daunting task to start exercising more. Start by attempting to take a walk every once in a while. Try to enjoy the nice weather, be in the sun more, and just breathe in the fresh air. Being outside and taking walks have shown to help those dealing with grief feel better.

Sit in a Park

Much like walking can help, going out to a park and just watching the ducks on the water, or the budding leaves rustle in the wind can be a very peaceful and relaxing process. Calming experiences in fresh air and a natural setting can be a good way to help you overcome sorrow.

Experience Something New

Take some friends or family, and try to make some new memories by trying something new. Try out a new hobby, or try setting up a game night with your loved ones. Surround yourself with people who care about you, and try to have fun. It’s OK to have fun, and to grieve. You shouldn’t feel guilty for trying to have fun while you are in mourning. 

Learn a New Skill

The feelings of success and triumph in learning a new skill can be very refreshing. Try learning a new skill or hone a skill you are not proficient in. Take a class in cooking, or art. Learning a skill can also be a way to connect with those we’ve lost. If there is something that your loved one took a lot of pride in doing; you may want to attempt that. It can make you feel closer to them, in a healthy and more positive way.

Take a Trip

Take a trip with your friends or family, maybe even somewhere new. Whether it’s a weekend road trip to another state, or a weeklong vacation. If your responsibilities can allow you to take a vacation, however long or short, try to do so. New experiences can be a way to break out of the rut you create for yourself during bouts of grief.

Don’t Push Yourself

Everyone experiences grief differently, and everyone has different ways to cope with it. Grief takes different lengths of time for everyone. You should not try to force yourself through grief. Go at your own pace. Try to experience life, and try not to let it go by.

The author of this post is not a professional therapist or counselor. For assistance in finding a grief counselor that is right for you, there are a number of resources out there. For our Grief Resource center, written by Dr. Bill Webster, click here. 
For almost 50 years, Matthew Funeral Home has been serving the Staten Island community. We can help with almost every aspect of your loved one’s memorial service. Our family is here to serve yours, every step of the way.