Ways to start coping with bereavement There's no quick or easy way through grief, but the following tips may help on difficult days: • Eat, drink, wash and try to get some sleep. It sounds obvious, but taking care of yourself will help you begin to cope with grief. • Be aware that you may not be concentrating as well as usual, so pay extra attention if you’re driving or taking on a difficult task. Try not to resort to coping strategies involving drugs or alcohol. • Don’t ignore your own health needs. Bereaved people seem to be more at risk of infections, and stress-related illnesses. • Getting out in the fresh air, and taking some exercise can help clear the cobwebs, tire you out for the right reasons, and help reduce any sense of isolation • Looking after something living - a pet, a member of the family, the garden - can give a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
• Find some tranquillity by lighting a candle, reading, listening to music or relaxing podcasts, or taking a bath. Maggie’s offer workshops, groups and relaxation sessions which help relieve stress. • Birthdays and anniversaries can be particularly hard and may cause intense grief and sadness. Plan ahead for how you might deal with these occasions, perhaps take the day off work or spend time with family. • Not everyone will need or want counselling, but if your grief feels overwhelming, then talking to family and friends, your GP, bereavement groups, the hospice, local church or community groups can help. Or you can just come into your nearest Maggie’s for somewhere to talk with our cancer support specialists and psychologists. Find your nearest centre at maggies.org/centres. As soon as I walked in, a friendly volunteer offered me a drink. I met Eilidh, a cancer support specialist and told her my story. I ended up in a mess, I just wasn't coping at all. But I felt okay afterwards. It was a release, the pressure came off after I opened up. I made another appointment to come back. I’ve been back to Maggie’s every other Wednesday ever since, without fail. I didn’t stop when Lorna died. I see Jack, the psychologist, before I see Eilidh, and we have a good chat. What I have seen and had to deal with has scarred me for life. But to know the support is always there at Maggie’s, to go for a blether and have a cup of tea and a cake. I always feel so much better when I come out.”
Davy’s story Davy was supported by Maggie’s when his wife Lorna was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour. “Lorna and I had been together since just before she turned 16. We've been
married 37 years, together for 39. In October 2020, Lorna was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour. Neither of us could deal with this news that had just come completely out of the blue. A radiotherapist told me that if I was struggling, I should go to Maggie’s – which was just over the road.
Donations help provide essential support: £7 c ould pay for someone’s first chat with a Cancer Support Specialist. £15 could provide one-to-one financial advice. £30 could fund a session with a psychologist to reduce anxiety. All contributions mean more people will have access to the care they need when they hear, the words ‘you have cancer’.
Thank you for helping us make a difference. justgiving.com/campaign/scotmidmaggies
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Jigsaw - Summer 2025
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