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Below are 8 tips to stop worry from overtaking your life. We widows worry; we worry about our future, money, family, friends and everything in between. Unfortunately, getting worked up over this and that seldom solves the problem. And it isn’t very healthy, mentally and physically, given the stress we are already under when grieving.
Worry is when your thoughts are stuck on a problem, but worry is useless and counter-productive because you can either do something about it or you can’t. The following 8 tips can start you on the road to a more worry free mindset.
- Don’t wait – take one step to deal with the problem.
- Decide what you want to happen and focus on that.
- Often a little self-encouragement snaps us out of our worries. Be your own coach and best friend, always be kind to yourself.
- Write down your worry and schedule a limited time to focus just on it.
- The rest of the time, distract yourself by doing something that brings you joy.
- Ask yourself – “Is this worth my time?” and “Can I do something about it?”
- Often worries relate to personal insecurities that are mostly in your mind. Learn to be realistic about the world around you now that you are a widow.
- It’s important to surround yourself with people who are not only supportive, but candid with honest and caring feedback.
Don’t try to grieve alone, recruit others to help you see your options, and there are ALWAYS options.
Don’t fear that what you seek isn’t out there or that if it is, you’ll never find it. Slow down and trust your instincts. You don’t want to dim your awareness of what options are available to you. Trust your instincts and wait patiently for the right moment to make a decision. Don’t fear your future, don’t let anyone pressure you, and remain open to whatever feelings happen.
Widowhood is an emotional journey. Pay attention when a negative thought or worry comes to mind. Ask yourself, “Is this really true?” This gives you the opportunity to look at it from another point of view.
Mary Francis, The Sisterhood of Widows
#thesisterhoodofwidows, #widow, #grief, #griefsupport, #widowsupport, #howtogrieve
