How to cope with loneliness over winter
Over winter, with the darker evenings, feelings of loneliness can seem more overwhelming than ever.
When you're grieving the death of someone, the brain can overload and juggle all sorts of different emotions on top of coping with the everyday things that life brings. You may also experience lots of changes now that the person that has died isn't here anymore.
In the middle of all this, it’s no wonder how studying for exams can be difficult to do - you might find that you are struggling to concentrate, or that you just feel that it isn’t important. If you are struggling, here are a few ways to help you cope during these times.
It’s okay to feel however you feel - whether that’s sad, frustrated, angry, numb, confused or any other emotion. Remember to give yourself permission to feel any emotion you want to feel. Grieve in whatever way you need to as this can help to avoid bottling it all up, which can make you feel worse.
Grief can play a part in you struggling to concentre or hold information, so if you don’t feel like you’re dealing with exams how you usually would, that’s okay and completely understandable. Be easy on yourself. Try to relieve some pressure by setting some realistic goals and remind yourself that you are doing your best.
Plan out when and how you’re going to study - give yourself specific times when you are revising and don’t forget about breaks too – it’s important to have some breathing space to recharge! You might want to create a timetable, where you can map out your exams or what to study to easily see what you are focussing on. This can help you to make sure you give yourself time to take care of you too!
Following on from the last point, looking after yourself is so important. It helps with your mental, emotional, and physical health. Try to be kind and patient with yourself and do the things that help to take care of you. Whether that’s watching a movie, spending some time with friends, going for a walk or reading a book. It can be anything that helps you recharge and feel good!
By itself studying for exams can be overwhelming, let alone whilst you’re grieving. It can be helpful to have some tools ready that work at reducing any anxiety you may have. Here’s a great blog that can help – Ways to Manage Anxious Thoughts. Practicing these when you can will make it easier to draw on when you need them.
Visit our Grief Toolkit to find things to do and ways to express your grief and how you're feeling.
It's okay if you want to reach out for additional help or support. You’re not alone in this. It may help you by letting your school, college or university know if you are struggling so they can also help and support you whilst you are studying for exams. Reach out to friends, family members or support services such as Winston’s wish.
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