Grief affects us all, whether it's from the loss of a loved one, losing a pet, or another traumatic event. It can be extremely overwhelming and emotionally draining to cope with grief and manage these feelings. While there's no “right” way to deal with grief – everyone processes things differently – but there are many strategies available for managing your emotions and helping yourself move forward. Read on to explore how to deal with grief and loss after losing someone close to you.
Acknowledge your feelings
Grief is like a wave of emotion; it come in, crashes around you, and passes on. It can be difficult to manage such emotionally turbulent times, so it's important to acknowledge your feelings and allow yourself time to grieve.
It can be helpful to practice grounding techniques such as deep alternate breathing and meditation which help bring your focus back to the present moment. Taking the time to be honest with yourself and your emotions rather than ignoring or pushing them aside can help you better understand how to cope with grief and loss.
Understand that grief is different for everyone
Understanding that grief is something that affects every one of us in different ways can be powerful. It is important to recognize that the way we handle loss varies depending on our circumstances, backgrounds, and beliefs.
People can feel a range of emotions when crossing paths with grief, sorrow, misunderstanding, anger, or even numbness. To help guide ourselves through these difficult times, it can be helpful to find a support system and ask for guidance from people who have experienced similar pain. Exercise, positive affirmations, journaling, and mindful activities are also great outlets of expression that can often aid in how to deal with grief and loss.
Seek support from someone close
Grieving is a difficult process and it can be greatly reassuring to receive support from family or friends.
Paradoxically, sometimes seeking that support can feel daunting – it can be hard to know how to go about asking for help. But when faced with the challenge of grief, it is essential to remind oneself that opening up about one's feelings can actually be incredibly beneficial. Having someone to hear you out and provide emotional validation can provide tremendous comfort during this difficult time.
It is important to remember that family and friends care and want to help in any way they can – so don't hesitate to ask them for help and understanding during this tough journey.
Join a support group
Joining a grief support group can be a great way to cope with loss. Not only do you get the opportunity to talk to others who are dealing with similar emotions, but many groups also offer activities that can help you express your grief in meaningful ways.
For instance, talking to someone in hospice or taking part in art therapy can be incredibly validating and therapeutic. Grief support groups can not only provide an emotional outlet for those times when it feels like you're bottling up your feelings but also offer comfort and guidance at a time when you may feel powerless and adrift.
Take care of yourself physically
While allowing yourself to feel your emotions, you should also engage in physical self-care activities that bring you comfort, peace, and joy.
This could be anything from going for a walk in nature, meditating with calming music, or lacing up your running shoes for some endorphins. Not only does exercise allow you to experience a much-needed distraction from your thoughts, but it can help improve your mental health by releasing serotonin levels and promoting better quality sleep. Physical self-care during times of grief may not cure the sorrow but can make life more bearable during this time of pain.
Talk to a professional if needed
Grieving is an incredibly difficult process to go through, not only emotionally but also physically.
While you must take the time to emotionally process the loss of a loved one, it is also important to recognize when intense or prolonged grief starts to have a negative impact on your mental and physical health.
If you find that your depression has become too difficult to manage on your own, then it might be time to reach out for professional help. Talking with a qualified therapist can provide you with some perspective and needed resources for coming out of your grieving period healthy and strong.
Even though dealing with loss can be difficult, it is important to keep in mind that you are never alone. Talking to close friends, attending support groups, or even just spending time outdoors can provide solace and hope during a time of grief.
Finding strength from within and focusing on the moments that bring joy is essential for navigating through moments of difficulty.
Despite the sadness surrounding a loss, there will eventually be a sense of peace and understanding that comes with it.
As humans, we have the capacity to heal over time and although it can be hard at times, we must remember that it’s okay to feel vulnerable.
Being surrounded by support is key – having other people validate your feelings helps you find value in yourself as well. Acknowledging your feelings is important when processing grief; try not to remain isolated during this process but instead accept help when offered and recognize the beauty in these moments of grace and growth.
Author Bio: Myrtle Baustista
