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By caring for your basic needs – even when you are so upset, tired, or numb that you may not want or care to – you are filling up your emotional well with support to buffer your falls on the difficult days.

Eating well can provide your body with the nutrients that it needs to give you the energy to keep moving forward.

Drinking water as often as you can will keep you well hydrated, so that your mind and body can function properly.

Exercising, even if it is only standing up and moving your body outside to the porch or into your car for a drive can get your blood pumping and strengthen your heart.

Maybe just stepping outside will eventually progress into taking a short walk around your neighborhood!

Exercise can in turn help your body to sleep better at night, without the use of sleep aids or alcohol.

Reducing body- and mind-numbing escapes such as alcohol, overeating, and over-working can help your body to re-find its natural rhythm and will help you to sleep better naturally.

The first few days will be hard, but remind yourself that even laying in your warm bed and relaxing can count as rest.

If you can make it through a few long nights, it will be worth it!

Regularly seeing a chiropractor or massage therapist can also help your body to rest better at night.

Taking small emotional recreation breaks from grief – such as making time for painting, writing, or vacationing.

Use these times to focus at what is directly in front of you and let your heart heal.

Distractions can help your mind to escape and relax and your body to refresh.

Don’t be afraid to take up good friends on their offers to get together – people who offer to help or listen genuinely care for you and want to be there for you!

"Sometimes it's OK if the only thing you did today was breathe."

— Yumi Sakugawa

By preparing on your good days for upcoming rough days, you can prepare yourself with coping skills and resources to help support you when emotions hit you hard without warning.

"There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief."

— Aeschylus

(The next page contains a few more small easy steps to take that will help your body to heal while you are grieving, plus some hope for the future.)