Depressed and Grieving: What to do?

The combination of grief and depression is almost hard to describe. Another under-discussed topic because how do you grieve the loss of a loved one and your depression is hitting you left and right. You still manage to keep it moving yet inside your heart is torn.

We will witness a few things in life that we wish we could bypass. Losing a loved one is definitely on the top of that list.

The passing of a family member or close friend are not the only situations people grieve. The loss of a loved one still living, losing a pet, loss of self while in a relationship, loss of a job, loss of a house, loss of hope, or loss of self due to health issues just to name a few. Whatever the loss having depression and grieving becomes very complicated.

Below are some ways that you can start your soul centered grief journey as you are dealing with grief and depression at the same time.

1. A Daily Routine and Nightly Routine

Depression can disrupt your day add grief it can move you into a place that you have never been. When you feel like this is too much developing a daily and nightly routine will help will help you get back to your where you were. Truth is once you once you get a routine and maintain it you will get back on track.

2. Your Self-Care Matters

What is self care? "Self-care is one’s action is around our physical, emotional, relational, perhaps professional, educational, and, for some people, spiritual well-being that reflects the way that we take care of ourselves on the most fundamental levels," says Helen L. Coons, PhD, a clinical health psychologist at the specializing in women’s behavioral health and wellness at the University of Colorado School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry in Aurora, Colorado. (full article in Good Housekeeping).

When your dealing with depression you will see depression manifest in so many ways: Physical, insomnia, anxiety, and guilt. Add grief to that it is one crazy combo. This is why having a self care plan and putting it in action is a must. The fact is self care can reduce stress and anxiety. Check out 5 Self-Care Practices For Everyday Life by Elizabeth Scott, MS.

3. Be kind and loving to yourself

Here is the truth we are hard on ourselves. We re hard on ourselves because we look at our faults more than our glory. After we lose a loved one or suffer any loss we tend to play the woulda or shoulda game. This is were things get real. We place blame and run. Seclude ourselves in hopes that this is a dream. When we realize it is not that is when we become stuck. Everything that you are going through is okay.

Be kind and loving to yourself during this process. Your soul needs it, your mind needs it, and your intuition needs it as well. Feel how you feel. No shame in that and you do not have to be STRONG or MOVE ON in any set of time. This is your grief process.

Grief Truths

1. This process is not cookie cutter.
2. Everyone deals with loss differently.
3. Seek a creative outlet to release.
4. Embrace your victories during your grief journey.
5. If this becomes too much seek help.
6. You are feeling alone. You are not.
7. The days you do not feel like smiling don't. Feel how you feel.
8. Listen to your intuition as this will be your soul guide.
9. Your body grieves too. Please hear it when it cries.

The process will give you a new outlook on life.