Coping with Grief: How a Change of Scenery Could Ease Some of Your PainBy Lucille RosettiThe pain, profound sadness, and guilt of losing someone we love are all challenging emotions that most of us will need to endure at one time or another, but that doesn’t make our grieving any easier — especially when we’re suffering from the loss of someone we were very close to. However, some grief experts believe that a change of scenery, whether temporary or permanent, could help us to cope with our loss and alleviate some of the painful emotions we’re experiencing. EBS Publishing explores some of the ways in which a change of scenery can help us to cope with the pain and sadness of losing a loved one.
Moving Into a New House
Grief isn’t something we can recover from or get over, but there are a few things we can do to lessen some of the painful emotions we experience after losing someone we love. After giving ourselves some time to process our emotions and cope with our grief, for instance, moving into a new home with unfamiliar surroundings can help us to:
Form meaningful friendships with new people.
Reflect on our lives and the things that are most important to us.
Simplify some aspects of our lives, especially if our home is too big.
Avoid painful grief triggers that remind us of our loss.
Since moving house and grieving the loss of a loved one are two of life’s most stressful events, it may be worthwhile to hire professional movers to assist you with your move. Professional movers can help reduce moving stress and anxiety and transport your belongings in less time, giving you more time to focus on yourself. It’s also wise to research market conditions and trends to learn if it makes sense financially to sell your home.
Getting Away for a Day or Two
Whether moving isn’t a practical decision for you or you’re not quite ready to leave the home you know and love, getting away for a few days can also help to alleviate some of the pain associated with your loss. According to Travel + Leisure, traveling can be an effective healing strategy when you’re grieving the passing of a loved one, as it helps you to gain some new perspective on life, break free from depression, and reset your priorities. Plus, you don’t have to travel far to reap these benefits; even a weekend stay in a new city can help you to process your emotions, put things into perspective, and cope with the loss of your loved one.
Making a Few Changes at Home
Like moving house and getting away for a day or two, making a few changes around your home can offer a change of scenery that helps you to cope with your loss. For instance, decluttering, rearranging your furniture, tackling a DIY project or two, and changing up your home decor can all help you to alleviate some of the pain you’re experiencing.
Rearranging furniture can help to clear your head, boost your mood, and inspire change — especially in times of loss. If you’re not ready to change everything at once, try making a few subtle modifications like incorporating calming colors into your artwork and home decor and giving your walls a fresh coat of paint.
Even if you move into a new home, rearrange your furniture, or make other significant changes to your home or life, the many wonderful memories you shared with your loved one will never truly disappear or be forgotten. However, a change of scenery may be just the thing you need as you cope with the passing of your loved one. And remember that when your grief feels insurmountable and overwhelming, know that you can find the strength to move on by relying on prayers and your relationship with God to continue moving forward.