How to Survive the Loss of a Spouse
Dealing with the loss of a spouse can be quite an ordeal. The traumatic experience can leave a person feeling emotionally overwhelmed, even if the death of the loved one was not sudden, but was in fact a result of a prolonged illness or disease. Many people lose their will to go on after the death of their spouse, as the grief and pain is too much for them to cope with.
If you have recently suffered the loss of your spouse, you should not give up on life. Pull yourself together and make an effort to cope with the loss. It is easier said than done, but there is no other option for you.
Instructions
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1
The death of someone you loved so dearly is indeed a traumatic experience. It is perfectly fine to feel depressed and mourn the loss of their life. Embrace the reality and the pain it brings instead of trying to run away from it. Let your tears flow instead of holding them back. Understand that there is nothing wrong in experiencing a range of emotions such as grief, anger, confusions, etc. These are all steps of emotional recovery from a huge loss.
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2
Do not doubt your ability and inner-strength to cope with the death of your spouse. The grief may make you feel weak and lost, filling your mind with negative thoughts and scaring you with a challenging future. Do not let the sadness consume you completely. You need to remember that you are strong and can deal with anything that fate mercilessly throws at you.
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3
Mentally prepare yourself for the grief to strike you with force on certain occasions such as your wedding anniversary, their birthday, the day you two saw each other for the first time, etc.
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4
When mourning the death of your spouse, you may end up ignoring your own health, which is completely unacceptable. You need to continue looking after your well-being. Make sure you eat properly. Exercise regularly and visit the doctor if you feel sick. Just because your spouse is no longer in this world does not mean you stop taking good care of things and people they loved, you being on top of the list.
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5
Spend time with your spouse’s parents and siblings. Realise that they would be going through the same traumatic experience. Help them cope with the loss.
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6
Do not ignore your kids. If they are old enough to know what has happened, help them deal with the loss. If they are young, try to hide your emotions while they are around.
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7
Try spending some time with people who experienced a similar loss. Ask them how they managed to pull themselves together, cope with the loss and eventually move on.
