Living through loss: How to cope when a life partner dies

November 14, 2020

Providence Seniors Health Team

[5 MIN READ]

Losing a life partner is a devastating event you may feel you’ll never recover from. Some experts say it could take at least three years or longer to adjust to the loss. This person, your partner, was probably with you almost every day. And now you expect to see him or her appear around a corner or in a crowd at any moment, but they don’t.

Grief is brutal — and answers don’t come easy

When a long-time partner dies, there are many emotions you may experience: mourning, grief and sorrow, to name a few. You may feel guilt for being the one who didn’t die, or anger because your partner left you.

It’s important to know that all these emotions are normal. You’re not wrong to feel the way you do at any given time — because there are no rules about how you should feel in the first place. According to Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, there are five basic stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. It is completely normal to go back and forth between these stages during your grieving process. You may even experience physical pain in addition to the hurt you feel in your heart. Crying easily isn’t unusual, and neither is having trouble making decisions.
You’re facing one of the hardest experiences people go through in life. That’s why it’s important to do what you can to care for yourself. Here’s what may help:

Lean on your support system

It’s vital not to avoid the grieving process. Family and friends can provide strong support. They may be grieving too; sharing memories about the one who is gone can be healing.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, numb, or dealing with long-term depression, consider seeking help. Grief counseling may be helpful in seeing you through your sorrow and beyond.
Support groups can also play a part. These include groups at your church, local hospitals and even hospice organizations. You can also ask your doctor to refer you to a support group that’s best for you.

Take time to take care of yourself

Soon after losing your loved one, it may be a relief to focus on handling the many details that follow a death. But this lasting change in your life can’t be avoided by staying busy. That’s why it helps to have a plan to care for yourself as you face this new chapter in the days ahead.

Tune in to your health. Grief takes a toll on your mind and body. Try to exercise, such as taking short walks or stretching. Sleep is also essential, even though it may be harder than ever to quiet your mind. If you’re smoking (or you’ve started again) or drinking too much alcohol, seek help.
Get the nutrition your body needs. Although you may have lost interest in cooking and eating — which isn’t unusual after the death of a loved one — nutrition is still key to your well-being. It may help to have a meal or a cup of coffee with a friend. If it feels too quiet in your home during meals now, try turning on the radio or TV. Go online to look for recipes that are simple and easy to put together.
Make an appointment with your doctor. Visits with your healthcare provider are always vital, but now may be the best time to check in. If it’s been a while, set up a visit so you can bring your doctor up to speed on what has happened in your life, and any new health issues. This is also the time to talk about trouble you may be having with everyday activities like sleeping or preparing meals.

Healing will come with time

You will get through this. After losing a loved one, you will always miss your partner. That’s normal. Still, most people find the intense pain softens and over time there are more good days than bad. You may find yourself laughing at a joke or enjoying time with a friend.

C.S. Lewis said, “To love at all is to be vulnerable.” Loving the special partners in our lives makes us vulnerable to the pain of losing them. Most people would say they wouldn’t have it any other way. Knowing that, one day you’ll be glad you were vulnerable enough to have loved your partner. One day, as hard as it may be to believe now, you’ll smile when you think of that love.

Find a doctor

If you have lost a life partner, ask for help if you’re feeling overwhelmed with grief and depression. Visit our provider directory to find the right Providence physician for you. Through Providence Express Care Virtual, you can also access a full range of healthcare services.