The last 2 years have been hard for all and devastating for many. Loved ones have been lost to Covid19 or complications related to the virus. Below, Camille Johnson, a guest author has shared some thoughts about how to find comfort in your body after the devastating loss of a loved one. I hope you find the article helpful.
How to Find Sleep After Losing a Loved One
The loss of a loved one can make the waking world feel like a nightmare. Even the most pleasant memories of those we’ve lost can be difficult because they demand so much of our attention that we can find it hard to sleep. When you’re struggling with grief, proper rest is important. But what do you do when you can’t sleep after the death of your spouse? The Simplicity of Wellness suggests focusing your attention on the factors under your control.
DURING THE DAY
Eating well and exercising are not just great for weight loss and health. They can help you sleep better, too. A healthy diet keeps your insides working smoothly, which translates to better digestion and a restful sleep. It also helps control or eliminate the stress and anxiety that’s taken up residence in your home.
CP Slippers explains that high-impact exercises during the day can tire you out so that you’re ready to pass out when you hit the pillow. A light walk or low-impact yoga/stretching session before bed can calm and relax you.
Also be sure that you aren’t letting stress pile up in other areas of your life. Dealing with grief is stressful enough on its own; take care of yourself during your waking hours.
BEFORE BED
Nuvanna recommends establishing a regular sleep pattern to train your body’s internal clock so that you get tired and wake up around the same time each day. There are also activities you should avoid doing before bed such as eating spicy foods, exercising, and using your mobile device. Spicy food interrupts your digestion overnight, and exercising close to bedtime can leave you with a surge of energy. Stop drinking caffeine after 2pm, and turn off the screens 30 minutes before bed.
Try this military hack to fall asleep in 2 minutes: start by relaxing your muscles from head to toe, followed by 10 seconds of slow, deep breathing. As you do this calming exercise, clear your mind and picture yourself in a black room wrapped in a black velvet hammock or lying in a canoe under a blue sky.
DON’T TRY TOO HARD
Have you ever noticed that when you try to stay awake for a movie or book, you can’t seem to keep your eyes open? But when you lie in bed in the dark attempting to fall asleep, it just won’t happen. According to the National Library of Medicine, there’s such a thing as trying too hard to sleep. Make an intentional attempt to stay awake, and you just might find yourself dozing off instead.
Reading a book or watching television could also help you fall asleep. Although screens are not recommended before bed due to the stimulating light, trying to follow the plotline of a TV show might actually make you tired. The benefit of reading or watching something is that you can get lost in the story rather than thinking about things that cause your mind to wander.
TIME FOR A CHANGE?
One of the hardest losses to experience is that of a spouse. Sleeping in your shared bedroom after their passing can be a painful experience because it was your special place as a couple. This could be the right time to purchase a new mattress or repaint your bedroom to promote restful sleep. The color of your bedroom walls can affect your sleep quality. Light blue is a calming color, and earth tones are conducive to sleeping. Avoid bright, bold colors and warm colors.
TECHNOLOGY
There are plenty of gadgets and gimmicks on the market that are designed to help you get better sleep. Soothing lights help you fall asleep faster, smart alarms wake you up gently, and white noise machines keep the house calm all night. You can also use sleep trackers to monitor your sleep habits.
No matter what approach you decide to try, remember that it’s perfectly normal to struggle with grief. Do your best, take your time, and focus your attention on improving your own health—just like your loved one would want you to.
Author: Camille Johnson
You can learn more about Camille over at bereaver.com
