Moving through grief is uniquely difficult during the warmer months here in Brookfield, New Berlin, and Milwaukee. It may seem strange to feel sad when the days are sunny and the weather is warm. At Krause, our team knows how grief can often feel more intense at this time of year. The summer months are popular for vacation and spending time with family and friends, but when there’s a missing seat at the picnic table, feelings of loss can take over.
Here are some helpful tips if you need support coping with grief during this season:
Respect how you feel.
Warm weather spells vacation for a lot of area families. Maybe you and your family always go on vacation at this time of year, but you don’t feel like it this year because of grief. If possible, give yourself permission to postpone taking a trip until you feel ready.
Share memories of your loved one.
During the summer months, feelings of loss can come on strongly. You may remember things you and your loved one used to do at this time of year, causing you to miss them even more. Share stories of your loved one with friends and family and invite them to do the same. Saying your loved one’s name can provide comfort throughout one of grief’s most difficult seasons.
Plan in advance.
Summertime can bring a lot of social pressure to attend events and spend time with family and friends. Do you best to only go places when you feel ready. On the other hand, if you’re feeling lonely, call a close friend for a chat or plan to meet up with them for a coffee. Remember that feeling the love and support of others can alleviate some of the symptoms of grief.
Focus on making new traditions.
To help alleviate painful memories of time you used to spend with your loved one, try to concentrate on creating new positive traditions with your loved ones. Perhaps you decide to take a hike, visit a lake, or head to the park for a picnic.
We encourage all our neighbors throughout Milwaukee County to reach out to us for support during their grief journey. Our compassionate team can provide more information and answer any questions you may have.