52 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | OCTOBER 2022
Bereavement Group
When you deal with a loss, everything can seem overwhelming but
there are things you can try to help soothe and calm your emotions.
The ones I will mention in this article are just some that you might
choose to try. This is part one of a three-part article.
First and foremost, remember to breathe. When we are under
stress, we tend to breathe in a more shallow and rapid way. Try to
take deep breaths. If you want, possibly go one step further with your
breathing and do some meditation at the same time. Another benefit
of deep breathing is that if done before bed it may help you sleep.
Start a daily routine. Have a time you want to wake up; it's a time
for breakfast, exercise, other things you do during your day, and a
time to go to bed. The structure of the routine will give you a sense
of more control over your day and will help you get up at a time when
you might just want to stay in bed all day.
There may be times when you will feel you are on an emotional
roller coaster. Feelings are normal. You may cry or you may not.
Both are normal. Let the feeling come over you, experience it, and
then let it go. There is no timeline for these feelings. They usually
are more intense right after the loss and then they tend to come in
waves. Some are very strong and almost pull you down and others
just happen and wash over you and then are gone. Unfortunately,
there is no way of knowing when some will hit; again, just know a
song, a TV show, or even a thought can trigger the feelings. This is
normal. Allow the feelings to happen with no judgement.
These are just some strategies for dealing with grief. Pick and
choose what feels right for you. Again, there is no right or wrong way
to grieve. There is no right or wrong emotion. Each person has to go
through their own process for grieving for whatever amount of time
it takes. You never get over the loss of your loved one but you can,
over time, get involved in things, redefine your life, and be happy in
a new or different way.
The Bereavement Group meets on Mondays at 1 pm in RCN Room
3. If you have any questions feel free to call Becky KG at (951) 524-
0215 or email at beckykg_1@yahoo.com. All contact is confidential.
~ Becky Kotzin-Gustafson
