Losing a loved one is heartbreaking. Grieving is tiring, hard work with no linear process or guidelines to follow. While you may take time off to mourn, you will likely have to return to work eventually. This can prove challenging for various reasons, from having trouble focusing to dealing with questions from coworkers. Read on as EricsHouse shares some tips to help you prepare for the return to work after the loss of a loved one.

Plan an Answer for Questions at Work

Your colleagues will likely be aware of the loss you’ve experienced since you probably took some time off work for a funeral or other practicalities. They may be curious and have questions. You are not required to answer any queries you don’t want to. That said, even replying to an innocent and well-intentioned “how are you?” can be tough. My Farewelling has tips for replies, from saying, “I’ve been better” to “I’m struggling.”

Make a Point of Prioritizing Self-Care

When you’re mourning, taking care of yourself can seem like a challenge. Make sure you’re putting in the effort to maintain your well-being, especially once you’re back in your everyday life and around people at work. Eat nutritious food, get some exercise, and prioritize sleep. Essential Health has additional tips for self-care while grieving, like taking walks outside, playing soothing music, and taking a warm bath.

Get a Pet for Companionship

Coming home to an empty house at the end of the workday can be challenging. One solution is to adopt a pet who can keep you company and give you unconditional love. Before you get a pet, set up your home for their comfort, purchasing items like a bed, food dishes, and a carrier. When purchasing products, check customer ratings and reviews online. Reviews from veterinarians can be especially helpful and allow you to buy with confidence.

Create a Stress-Relief Toolkit

Grieving is stressful. Add the stress of work to it, and you’ve got a double whammy. Make sure you’re prepared to tackle stress as it arises. Come up with a virtual “toolkit” of resources and behaviors you can use to stay in control. For example, you might squeeze a stress ball or engage in meditation. Apps like Headspace offer guided meditations that you can follow if you’re new to the practice. Meditation is also great because you can do it at work.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Grieving can be a very lonely process. You don’t have to go it alone. If you’re struggling, reach out for help. That could take the form of counseling, or your work’s human resources department may also be able to connect you with helpful resources, like mental health support outlets. Local churches and charities can also be useful places to find support groups.

Everyday steps like going back to work can be especially challenging. It’s important to prepare. By taking steps that promote comfort and wellness throughout your grief journey can help you navigate grief, mourning, and tending to life’s responsibilities.