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Loss is an inevitable part of life. All of our lives have ups and downs, and experiencing loss is just one of the puzzle pieces that make up the journey of life. At Lighting The Way, my mission is to give you the tools and resources to help you use your losses to make yourself stronger.

One of the toughest losses to face is the passing of your spouse, your other half. The bond you and your spouse share is inseparable, and fills you with an overflowing amount of happiness. It’s such a beautiful bond that when the time comes for your loved one to move on, it makes it that much more difficult to say goodbye. You are now faced with the challenge of walking through life as a widow, something you probably had never even given a second thought.

Effects Of Widowhood 

Becoming a widow has many effects on a person. Losing your spouse is a traumatic event, and one that is hard to understand for those who haven’t experienced such a significant loss. It’s important to be aware of the physical and mental effects of widowhood, so that you don’t let your emotions overpower and consume your life.

  1. Effects On Mental Health
    • The American Psychological Association once conducted a study of over 70,000 widowed women to learn more about the effects of widowhood. It was shown that within the first year, one of the aspects of a widow’s life to suffer the most was mental health. The women’s social interactions severely decreased after the loss of their spouse, and their moods worsened over time. 
    • There are several emotional challenges that widows face. After all, you lost your best friend, your confidant and your other half. To make sure that these emotions don’t swallow you up, it’s important to lean on your friends and family and express your emotions and feelings. The more you keep your emotions bottled up, the easier it will be for them to eat away at you. It’s also important to try and go to social gatherings, and make sure you’re not excluding yourself from life’s big events. If someone is having a birthday party, try your best to attend. If someone is celebrating the purchase of a house, try to stop by and congratulate them. Celebrating the victories of the people you love is important,  especially during a time such as this.
  2. Effects On Physical Health 
    • Widowhood is one of the most stressful events a married individual can endure. While there have been many studies focusing on the mental effects of widowhood, there have only been a few which have tried to tackle the physical effects of widowhood. You’ve probably heard of someone dying from a broken heart. Sadly, it is not entirely impossible. When you experience a profound loss such as the death of a spouse, it’s not uncommon to form “broken heart syndrome.” Losing a spouse can take such a physical toll on someone that it can actually lead to severe heart failure.
    • To prevent serious health problems as a result of losing your husband or wife, keep a close eye on your physical health. Make sure to find manageable ways to look out for your physical well-being. For example, if you’ve never been a runner, now probably isn’t the best time to start. You want to invest in physical activities that you’ll enjoy and that you can maintain over time. The most important thing is to make sure that you’re moving your body. Exercise will also release endorphins, which sends a signal to your brain to release neurotransmitters which diminish the perception of pain. As cliché as it may sound, exercising will have a huge impact on your overall happiness.

Gain Strength Through Widowhood With Lighting The Way 

With Lighting The Way, I believe that it’s possible to show people that grief and loss can be turned into positives. I want to help educate people on how to take the hard times of their lives and use those times to become even stronger. Whether you need help explaining death to your child, or you’re experiencing a devastating loss yourself, I am here to help and support you throughout your entire grief journey. 

If you are preparing to lose your spouse, or have recently said goodbye to your other half and are navigating life as a widow, please contact me today. I understand that this is a difficult time, and I am here to show you that this is not the end of your journey, it’s just a bump in the road.

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