Guest writer: Camille Johnson
Navigating grief can feel like walking through a deep fog. In fact, grief has been proven to
impact memory and clear thinking, which leaves you less capable of self-care. Yet, healing
from loss requires mental and physical strength, so it's crucial to set healthy goals while
walking through your loss.
Psychologist Dr. Katherine King states, "Grief is a marathon rather than a sprint." Creating
goals that lead you to care for yourself, help you process in a healthy manner, and get you
focusing on your future can help you heal.
Simplify Your Self-Care
This isn't a time to focus on challenging daily goals. First, you must concentrate on the
basics of self-care.
• Maintain a schedule. Routines are centering and provide a flow to your day, which
can help you remember to accomplish tasks, such as brushing teeth and eating. Wake
up, eat meals, and wind down each evening at specific times.
• Move your body. Engaging in 15 to 20 minutes of exercise per day can release
endorphins and improve cognitive function. Exerting energy also decreases anxiety
and helps you sleep.
• Get sunshine. Take advantage of the California sunshine, and exercise by walking
outside daily. The melanin produced in the skin through sun exposure can help fight
grief-induced insomnia. Sunshine is also a natural source of vitamin D, adding another
boost to your health.
• Drink water. Water provides myriad health benefits. Buy a brightly colored water
bottle, and keep it next to you for easy accessibility. Mindlessly sipping during the day
can help you increase your water intake.
Write About Your Grief
Journaling through grief can help you process your pain. You can't process what you
haven't yet discovered, so use a stream-of-consciousness technique to reveal feelings you
hadn't noticed were brewing, such as anger. If you feel stuck, seek out grief-related
prompts on the internet.
Focus on Your Future
The loss of your loved one is a reminder that life is precious and you must live yours to the
fullest. Re-examine your professional goals, and note what holds you back from
accomplishing them.
If education is the problem, set an appropriate goal. Lack of education can be a roadblock to
career goals, so take this time to dive into working toward that continuing education
certificate or bachelor's degree right here in Irvine. Research a reputable master's or
doctorate program. An educational program can accompany you through your grief
journey, keep you future-focused, and leave you with something useful: a degree.
Are you balancing family and job commitments? No problem. Online degree programs
allow you to compare tuition rates, plan around your schedule, and complete a degree from
home. When exploring your online options, be sure to choose an accredited program. The
Irvine area is full of reputable universities and colleges, making it easy to set an educational
goal today.
Loss is inevitable in life, and, unfortunately, nobody is exempt from suffering. However, you
can empower yourself and carry some control of your grief process by setting helpful and
healthy goals. Check out Kai Boyer Fitness for help with goal-setting and self-improvement.