Small Steps Through the Wilderness of Grief

Here at the NEA Baptist Center for Good Grief, we recognize that everyone grieves differently. Everyone finds their own path through the “wilderness of grief.” One thing we know to be true is that no one has to grieve alone. Our staff is trained to help support those who have experienced the death of a loved one.

Here are five tips that we hope will help you as you begin to navigate your own grief:

• Focus on survival. Get up out of bed, eat a little for each meal, drink water, and try to sleep. Once these simple survival tasks feel more manageable, other goals for managing the grief process can be considered.
• Consider the idea of “dosing your grief.” This simply means setting aside an intentional, small amount of time daily to tend to your grief. Some people spend this time crying, others in prayer or meditation, others writing.
• Allow yourself to cry as needed. Crying is a natural, healthy release for the sorrow that you are experiencing.
• Take breaks. If you are a working person, consider talking to your supervisor/boss and letting them know that you are grieving. You may need more frequent breaks and/or additional time off. If you are not a working person, remember not to schedule yourself so tightly that you become overwhelmed.
• Try your best to limit your expectations of your grief and the process itself. Everyone grieves differently and at their own pace. There is no guidebook, no set of instructions– your journey will be as unique as your relationship with your loved.

If you or someone you love is grieving, the caring staff at the Center for Good Grief is here to help. It would be our honor to walk your grief journey with you. As a program of the NEA Baptist Charitable Foundation, our services are always free. We offer both individual and group counseling as well as unique seminars and training. Call us today at 870.936.7719.