How To Deal With Anxiety After The Loss of a Loved One

Losing a loved one can easily be one of the most difficult things you’ll experience in your lifetime. From sadness and depression to anger and rage, death can create a wide range of emotions. Many people have significant anxiety after experiencing the death of a loved one, often affecting many aspects of their lives.

Whether you’re getting through a recent death or still coping with a death from many years ago, here are some important tips for managing your anxiety during the grieving process:

Focus on your health. After a death, it can be easy to let your health spiral out of control by oversleeping (or sleep deprivation), overeating, or neglecting physical activity. During this fragile time, it’s essential that you still make your health a priority even when you’re feeling your worst. During the grieving process, be sure to maintain a routine that involves three balanced meals per day and at least 30 minutes of exercise. Nutrition and fitness will improve the way you feel, allowing you to be in a healthier physical and mental state overall.

Accept the things you can’t control. This tends to be one of the most difficult things to do after the loss of somebody you care about. Remember that worrying and obsessing over the death will not bring the person back. As you reflect on your loss, remind yourself that what you’re feeling is completely normal and that everybody goes through the same experience. Rather than live in constant anxiety and fear, work on releasing yourself of the things you have no control over. Use the loss of your loved one as a reminder to treasure the people you still have in your life and live each day to the fullest in the time you still have on earth.

Seek professional help. Sometimes anxiety after a death can be too overwhelming to handle on your own. Seeking the help and support of a professional therapist can be instrumental in helping you through the grieving process and gaining the strength you need to get through one of the most difficult times of your life. A licensed social worker will work closely with you to tailor a treatment program that meets your specific needs. In addition to individual therapy, group therapy can provide solace through the sharing of thoughts and feelings with others also going through the grieving process.

If you’re struggling with the loss of a loved one, a licensed social worker can help in many ways. Get in touch today with Joseph Montaldi, LCSW, based in San Antonio, Texas.