Grief, like any emotion, can’t be removed completely from your life. Whether it’s happiness, anger, fear or anticipation, these feelings follow you and remain as a part of how you function as a dynamic human being. If you’ve experienced a major loss, grief will most likely stay with you wherever you go, as well. By changing your pace and getting away from your daily routine, your feelings of despair may be more manageable.

Most people can’t afford to go away on a lavish holiday to a tropical island, or, in many cases, they are unable to take time off from work – especially after taking time off for a recent loss. But this doesn’t mean you can’t be creative in planning even a small amount of time away to rejuvenate your mind and reflect on your loss in a more positive light.

Consider a day trip. This can be scheduled on a day that you typically would not be working. Talk to people who share the same interests as you to find out where they’ve traveled to in your region. It could be as simple as a trip to the lake for peaceful reflection time, or an activity that is as vigorous as rock climbing. No matter what your tastes are, there are things to do within driving distance that will help you manage grief in an optimistic way.

If you have a little bit of money put aside, try getting away for the weekend. Choose a place that you’ve never been to before and explore what the area has to offer. Although your feelings of despair may follow you, you can turn them around by lifting your spirits with time spent in an interesting museum, sampling different foods and meeting new people.

Even with little money and time, it is possible to modify your routine so you can manage grief positively. By getting away from what you do on a daily basis, you’re more likely to focus on experiencing new and exciting places and people – helping you to create new memories and traditions.

What places have you visited that have helped you manage your grief in a more positive manner?