In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, here at Gerst, we want to equip you with encouragement and ways to take extra care of your mental health through periods of grief.
Movement
During the grieving process, you might be feeling a lot of emotions build up; stimulating your body can help you get your mind off of the trauma. Movement is a great way to support overall health. When your mental health is failing, and you feel overwhelmed, the last thing you want to do is move. Movement doesn’t have to be intimidating; it can take many forms, from stretching in the evening to an afternoon walk to an intense workout circuit. Getting your body moving will help you feel more motivated and implement some normalcy into your routine.
Staying stagnant can lead to festering feelings and more intense feelings of mental decline. Finding an activity that involves movement that you like can help you refocus and reset. Pushing your body during a workout or even simply going for a walk can release endorphins and help you let go of tension. Movement, big or small, is a great way to take care of your mind while you grieve.
Mindfulness
Throughout your grieving process, it is important to check in on yourself routinely. Being aware of your self-talk, emotions, and progress will help you stay connected with yourself. Mindfulness is becoming more aware of ourselves and our thoughts. Practicing mindfulness can be a quick check-in with yourself or a longer period of meditation and reflection. Part of mindfulness is accepting all the feelings you may be experiencing, having compassion for yourself, and expressing your feelings. Sorting through trauma can be a difficult process, but it will help you work toward healing. Learning how you deal with pain and grief will help you to take care of your mental health during this time.
Stay Connected
Having a community to lean on while you grieve will help protect your mental health. Grief is not linear; It can come in unexpected waves. It’s essential in those times of emotional instability that you have people to support you. You cannot combat mental health struggles without connection.
Reaching out to friends and family is a great way to begin leaning on trusted individuals for support. Another option is joining a support group. Joining a community that is suffering through similar challenges can provide comfort and relief during this time. Isolating yourself will only make your mental health and journey toward healing harder. It is important to share your feelings, hear other people’s experiences, and simply be in the presence of others. Fostering connections during your journey through grief can be empowering and healing.
Taking care of your mental health is essential for your healing process. We are committed to providing you comfort and resources to help you prioritize your mental health while navigating grief. Please contact us for additional resources and support at any stage of your grieving.
