Bereavement and your health

One of a series of leaflets published by The Compassionate Friends “Small but frequent meals or snacks have helped.” “I order meal boxes – they are less effort.” “If friends bring me over a meal or invite me out to eat, I tend to accept. It’s less bother than figuring out what to cook.” Structuring the day: “It helps me if I have a routine.” “I try to plan at least something small for each day so that I have something to motivate me to get out of bed in the morning.” “When my energy levels are really low, I try to be gentle with myself and accept my limitations. Reading a book or watching TV is all I can manage sometimes.” “My hobbies help me focus on something else, even for a few minutes.” “I’m back at work now. It’s not been easy, but on the other hand it fills my time and gets me out of the house.” “I have felt better about myself since I started volunteering.” “Taking up some new activities has helped, especially those that engage both mind and body.” Spending time out in nature and exercising: “They say that a 1 0 minute walk will lift your mood. I aim for more, but I have found that even a few minutes’ exercise in the fresh air helps me feel better.” “I enjoy sitting in the garden.”