Grief Activities - Things to do to make you feel better and fill your life with joy!

If you are in the throes of grief then the headline above probably seems utterly crazy. But just because you are feeling pain and grieving does not mean that you can't have moments of pleasure. To start with, getting out and about and involving yourself in activities will be something that takes an enormous effort, but it is beneficial for you. As Joanne Cacciatore says in her book: "Far from being selfish, in a way, self-care in acute grief is heroic."

So to start with, keeping busy and taking up some activites again is an act of self-care. But before long, you will find that there are moments when you start to feel normal again and when you can experience moments of joy alongside your grief. The two are not mutually exclusive.

So here are some ideas to get you out and about. You can't grieve 24 hours a day and you owe it to yourself to make the most of the precious life that you have left. If you can't do it for yourself, do it in memory of your loved one.

Do be mindful that you don't use activity as a way to block out your grief entirely. You do need to allow it some time in your day to be processed. Check out the link to some more mindful activities below which can help you to do that.

Don't despair if you really can't face any of these activities. Some people have more difficulty in getting out than others. If you really can't function or join in with anything, you may need to consider getting some help. We recommend the excellent online counseling service at the bottom of the page. Find out if you need counseling here.

Meme - life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.

Grief Activities - List of things to do for getting out and about and filling your life with joy!

Don’t stay at home and be lonely. Put on a happy face and choose an activity that you love. You will soon start to feel better. There are many people like you out there wanting to share a good time too. Dealing with grief is much easier if you spend time with others and keep busy. Do all the things you always wish you'd tried. Develop a bucket list and work your way through it!

Sports and Fitness

Bowls
Golf
Tennis
Gym
Swimming classes
Ballroom dancing

Tai Chi
Yoga or pilates (Read here how yoga helped one reader to cope with her grief).

Fishing
Sailing
Canoeing
Surfing

Hobbies

Bridge
Night classes
Art lessons
Language lessons
Computer lessons
Learn photography or a craft
Jewellery making
Beading
Craft groups
Creative writing

Amateur dramatics – behind stage, lighting or costumes if you prefer to be behind scenes. You will be welcomed!

Betty Postle, author of this site, (centre) singing in a choir

Choir - having a good sing releases endorphins and makes you feel much better!

Book club
Debating group

Work out your family tree

Study - go back to university or college

More Ideas for Grief Activities

Volunteer work – you have skills and are needed. Go out there and surprise yourself! You will also find that it helps you too.

"We cannot help another without also helping ourselves". Joanne Cacciatore

Charity shop helpers, Repair toys or other donations
Meals on Wheels
Go to schools to hear children read
Car ferrying for nursing homes or disabled
Walk the dogs at the pound
Run a stall to sell crafts for charity

Friends

Invite your friends over
Bake a cake or cook a meal
Arrange outings to galleries, museums, parks
Book a holiday with a friend
Go to the movies
Book a restaurant
See a show
Go to a concert or the opera

Make new friends by joining a dinner party group for those who have suffered a loss - like this one.

Travel

There are lots of groups which organise trips for single people. Ask your travel agent for one that is best for you.

Or organise your own trip, or get a camper van and meet people on the way.

There are lots more activities to make you feel better.

I wish you all the best on your grief journey.

Writing through your Grief

Mindful Activities to Help You Grieve

Meditation for Grief

Where to get help:

Have You Considered One-on-One Online Grief Counseling?

Get Expert and Effective Help in the Comfort of Your Own Home

The following information about online counseling is sponsored by 'Betterhelp' but all the opinions are our own. To be upfront, we do receive a commission when you sign up with 'Betterhelp', but we have total faith in their expertise and would never recommend something we didn't completely approve.

Do you feel alone and sad with no support and no idea how to move forward? It can be tough when you are stuck in grief to find the motivation to get the most out of your precious life.

Online counseling can help by giving you that support so you don't feel so alone. You can have someone to talk to anytime you like, a kind and understanding person who will help you to find meaning in life again, to treasure the memories of your loved one without being overwhelmed and to enjoy your activities, family and friends again.

Simply fill out the online questionnaire and you will be assigned the expert grief counselor most suitable for you. It only takes a few minutes and you don't even have to use your name.
Pay an affordable FLAT FEE FOR UNLIMITED SESSIONS.
Contact your counselor whenever you like by chat, messaging, video or phone.
You can change counselor at any time if you wish.
Click here to find out more and get started immediately.
Or read more about how online counseling works here.

Woman Crying. Get Started with Online Counselling

Sales from our pages result in a small commission to us which helps us to continue our work supporting the grieving.

Hypnosis for Grief - 10 Ways It Can Help You

Try a gentle hypnotherapy track to relax the mind. Learn how self-hypnosis can help you cope with grief at any time of the day or night.

For Remembrance:

Sales from our pages result in a small commission to us which helps us to continue our work supporting the grieving.

Heart Shaped Sterling Silver Pendant for Cremation Ashes, Engraved Forever Loved

Memorial Jewelry to Honour a Loved One

Check out our lovely range of memorial jewelry for any lost loved one. Pendants, necklaces, rings or bracelets, we have them all in all kinds of styles. Choose for yourself or buy as a sympathy gift.

Click here to see our selection

Create an Online Memorial Website

Honour your loved one with their own memorial website. Share photos, videos, memories and more with your family and friends in a permanent online website. Free for basic plan with no ads.

Find out more here.

Find us here:

search engine by freefind

Sales made via this site will result in a small commission to us which enables us to continue our work helping those who are grieving. This does not affect the price you are charged and we will only ever recommend services and products in which we have complete faith.