From the Counselors' Desk Highlights

Strategies for Working Through Loss

  • seek and accept support

  • express your loss

  • your feelings are real

  • stay off social media

  • drink more water, less caffeine

  • go for a walk/run/hike/bike ride

  • find a new hobby

  • stay connected to family/friends

  • do something supportive for a neighbor

  • play your instrument or sing


Practice Self-Care

Take time out for self-care. Pursue reliable information. Step away when you need to. Remember the following:


  • Drink Water

  • Get Outside

  • Stay Active

  • Make Time for Laughter

  • Be Kind

  • Journal


Mindfulness activities

  • Squeeze Muscles: Starting at your toes, pick one muscle and squeeze it tight. Count to five. Release, and notice how your body changes. Repeat exercise moving up your body.

  • Belly Breathing: Put one hand on your stomach and one hand on your chest. Slowly breathe in from your stomach (expand like a balloon) and slowly breathe out (deflate).

  • Meditation: Sit in a relaxed, comfortable position. Pick something to focus on, like your breath. When your mind wanders, bring your attention back to your breath.

  • Blowing Bubbles: Notice their shapes, textures and colors.

  • Coloring: Color something. Focus on the colors and designs.

  • Listening to Music: Focus on the whole song, or listen specifically to the voice or an instrument.


Signs of Stress

YOUR BEHAVIOR:

  • An increase or decrease in your energy and activity levels

  • An increase in your alcohol, tobacco use, or use of illegal drugs

  • An increase in irritability, with outbursts of anger and frequent arguing

  • Having trouble relaxing or sleeping

  • Crying frequently

  • Worrying excessively

  • Wanting to be alone most of the time

  • Blaming other people for everything

  • Having difficulty communicating or listening

  • Having difficulty giving or accepting help

  • Inability to feel pleasure or have fun

YOUR BODY:

  • Having stomach aches or diarrhea

  • Having headaches and other pains

  • Losing your appetite or eating too much

  • Sweating or having chills

  • Getting tremors or muscle twitches

  • Being easily startled

YOUR EMOTIONS:

  • Being anxious or fearful

  • Feeling depressed

  • Feeling guilty

  • Feeling angry

  • Feeling heroic, euphoric, or invulnerable

  • Not caring about anything

  • Feeling overwhelmed by sadness

YOUR THINKING:

  • Having trouble remembering things

  • Feeling confused

  • Having trouble thinking clearly and

concentrating

  • Having difficulty making decisions