Page 33 - flip book- How To Survive Baby Loss

Self-Care

hat does self-care mean? According to the dictionary, it
Wis “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve
one’s own health.” Self-care is vital whether you feel like it or
not. It is easy to let go of your care when your heart has been
ripped out by the loss of your child. It may take all the strength
you have to focus on the basics, such as caring for your sleep-
ing, eating, and exercise, and for your emotional and spiritual
well-being.

You may be saying, “I am just surviving over here; forget
self-care!” Consider this: to not care for yourself is self-neglect,
which can only add to your negative emotions and space. But it
is loving yourself through the grieving process that is so need-
ed. Think of how your baby would want you to be treated. You
may have trouble sleeping or you wake up crying. Expect it. Try
to get rest at night and stay on schedule. Be gentle with yourself
and rest. Take naps or get to bed early.

Do you tend to be an emotional eater? Try to be selective
about the amount and the kind of food, but indulging in a few
treats may increase your feel good endorphins temporarily, and
that’s okay. After you down some comfort foods, just focus on
healthy snacks and meals that can nourish your body. My jour-
ney to improved health started by a few simple choices and one
new habit at a time.

Take a walk with a family member or friend to meet your
need for exercise. You may not feel like it, but afterwards, you
will be happy to have talked and walked. Research has shown
that exercise is three times more powerful than antidepressants,
so utilize it for the mood-lifting benefits.

Emotional self-care can be excusing yourself from a social
event that you are afraid will cause you to cry or feel emotion-
ally drained. This may mean declining to host an annual family
party. Do you usually host Thanksgiving meals or Christmas
Eve dinner? Let people know that you need the year off.

You may experience anger about your body, like your body
let you down when it was supposed to be a “safe place” for
your child, but you could not carry your child longer or they

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