Have you noticed that since the Coronavirus arrived it has disrupted our lives in everything we do including how we mourn?
Our daily routines, our sense of normality, even security, everything has changed. Some people are affected by the uncertainty in the stock market, the loss of jobs, or the impact on the economy that has brought instability and insecurity. There is no way to predict what will happen in the future and when we will return to the new normal. All this creates a greater sense of loss since we have already lost the routine that we know and all this adds to our anxiety and lack of security at a time when we are shaken by the death of our loved ones. We know that grief is a part of our lives but it is even more uncomfortable as we are already having feelings of loss and it does not help us that the world we knew is also changing so quickly. It is wise to put a name to how we feel about everything that is happening around our lives.
Also in these times we must find those activities that give us peace and that we can practice in our homes. Meditate, pray, getting closer to what gives you security can help you. Take a moment and stay away from the news, worries, and grief. Aim to take time for yourself, read a book, to listen to your favorite music. Make a space in your home to help you relax so you can have the energy for your grief. During our mourning, which is a process of loss, if we do not find a way to pay attention to our anxieties and fears it will be much more difficult for us with all the extra things that are happening around us.
Identify people you can talk to who bring positivity to our daily lives and are a good support system. We don’t need more drama than we already have. If you feel awkward with everything that is going on and how you are complicating your grief, please contact us at (717) 391-2440. Leave a message on my voicemail and I will give you a call.
Deborah Gonzalez, MSW, CT
Bilingual Bereavement Counselor
Hospice & Community Care
