Anticipatory grief
Self-care during anticipatory grief
You are grieving and working a second unpaid job at the same time. The basics stop being optional.
CaregiverFamily
Protect the physical floor
- Sleep — arrange cover for at least one full night a week.
- Food — keep something ready that requires no cooking or decisions.
- Movement — a short walk daily does more for grief than most people expect.
- Alcohol — it worsens sleep and lowers mood; watch quietly for creep.
- Your own health appointments — keep them.
Protect something that is yours
One hour a week that is not about illness. Not a reward for coping — a requirement for continuing.
Guilt about enjoying yourself is standard and should be ignored. Enjoyment does not shorten anyone's life.
Line up your afterwards
- Find a bereavement service now and note the number; many accept referrals before the death.
- Tell one friend that you will need them in three months, when everyone else has moved on.
- Keep a journal — it becomes a record of the period you will otherwise remember only in fragments.
Where to go next
Afya Companion offers education and self-help support. It does not diagnose, treat or replace care from your doctor, nurse, psychologist or dietitian. If something in your health changes, speak to your care team.