Fatigue

When a person experiences a loss, they are impacted physically, spiritually and emotionally. One of the ways in which we are impacted physically is through fatigue. The person’s energy is so low it may feel as though they cannot put one foot in front of the other. There are several reasons for this:

1.    Your body and mind can’t absorb anymore. It’s a challenge to take it all in and your body is telling you that it is responding to the stress.
2.    Sleep does not come easy to an individual in grief. It is either difficult to fall asleep or difficult to stay asleep.

The nights can be particularly challenging. The house is quiet and the telephone stops ringing. Initially, there may be friends and family staying with the bereaved but eventually they too, return to their own life. The bereaved may unintentionally feign sleep because they don’t want to dream about the deceased or because they are afraid something bad will happen to them or someone else. I remember being obsessed with the safety of my children for the longest time after their father died. I would tiptoe in and out of their rooms to be sure they were breathing. I’ve said it before… crazy making stuff! But it is normal and eventually it does subside.

Because sleep can be challenging and the mind and spirit are so wounded too, it is really important that a person does get some rest. Sleep does not have to be linear so taking rest breaks and/or short naps throughout the day will help. Encouraging the person to take time in a quiet room with no stimulation for 20 – 30 minutes will do wonders to rejuvenate them.

Photo Credit: Michal Marcol:
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=371