Even More Shockingly Simple Ways to Deal with Widow Fog

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Short and Sweet Summary: When your ability to remember things or manage simple tasks goes haywire, you’re not going crazy. You’ve suffered a devastating loss and it’s simply your brain’s response to trauma. This “widow fog” or “widow brain” phase is frustrating, for sure. But, you can help yourself deal with widow fog by learning how to take better care of you.
If you’re searching to ways to manage your forgetfulness and lack of focus, you’ve come to the right place.
You’re likely experience the phenomenon known as “widow fog” (or widow brain or grief fog or grief brain). It’s called widow fog because it’s like your brain is in a constantly hazy, unclear state. The forgetfulness and lack of focus is simply your brain’s way of protecting you from the full shock of your loss.
When your ability to remember things or manage simple tasks goes haywire, you’re not going crazy. It’s simply your brain’s response to trauma. In fact, according to The Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory you’ve suffered THE most stressful life event possible. The death of a spouse is at the top of the scale of stressful life events. So it’s no wonder you have trouble concentrating.
I’ve written before about what widow brain is and some simple ways to deal with it.
But there are even more things you can do to help yourself. In addition to the suggestions I outlined in the previous posts, I’m including more shockingly simple ways to deal with widow fog and get yourself back to some sense of normalcy.
WHAT ARE SOME WIDOW FOG SYMPTOMS AND BEHAVIORS?
But first, let’s go over some widow fog symptoms you may be experiencing.
Do any of these sound like you?
HOW TO HELP YOURSELF THROUGH THE WIDOW FOG PHASE
I use the term “phase” because this widow fog feeling you’re experiencing won’t last forever. It’s not the problem you think it is because it’s really just a normal response to the trauma you’ve experienced as a result of your spouse’s death. Think of it like your brain’s coping mechanism.
Once you’ve had time to process and adjust to your current way of living, things will start to improve. It could take months or it could take years. But how well you’re taking care of yourself is one very important factor.
In addition to the seven ideas suggested in this post, try to incorporate one or more of the following ideas into your daily routine.
WIDOW WRAP UP
Even though your life might feel like it’s spinning out of control, you do have more control over things than you might think. The widow fog or widow brain phase is frustrating, for sure. But, you can help yourself through it by taking better care of you.
Start by eating right and exercising. It doesn’t have to be anything major, just a few servings of fruit a day or a 20-minute walk. Just something to feed your body what it craves – good food and movement.
Use your smart phone to set reminders so you don’t have to worry forgetting appointments. Ask for and accept help so that you’re not overburdened with to-dos.
And finally, write down your thoughts and feelings to get a better perspective of what’s swirling around in your brain.
Taking the time to take care of yourself is a shockingly simple way to ease out of the widow fog phase and back to the land of the living.
You can do this!
Related Posts
- You Don’t Get What You Don’t Ask For
- Easy Ways to Conquer Your Anxiety of the Unknown
- Managing Grief and Loss: 7 Things Widows Forget to Do
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