In the midst of grief, it can feel like your life will never again feel normal. While the grieving process never truly ends, there are some ways you can preserve your mental and emotional well-being, ultimately reaching a place where you can once again feel peace.

The most important thing to remember is that grief has a timetable all its own—and often, it will take up to a year before you begin to

feel like your normal self. Don’t rush it. Allow grief to work itself out without trying to expedite it.

You may have days or even weeks when you don’t feel like talking, and that’s okay; again, grief has its own pace. Ultimately, though, it’s important to give voice to your pain, and the best way to do that is to find someone you feel safe talking to—either a close friend or the members of a grief support group.

Self-expression can be a healthy way to deal with stress and grief, and there are a number of forms this can take—journaling, drawing, or even taking up a musical instrument.

Maintaining mental and emotional health will also require you to attend to your physical well-being, and that includes exercise. Physical activity releases endorphins, producing a natural “high”—a great way to bolster your emotional health. Sound nutrition is just as important, and keeping healthy but convenient meals handy is a good way to make sure you get the right nutrients.

More than anything else, be patient with yourself. Grief is a natural way to deal with traumatic events, and you’re not going to feel like your old self again right away. Allow some grace as you take things one day at a time, working out your grief at the pace that seems right to you.