Coping with Grief
Grieving is different for everyone, there is no one way of coping with grief. Research talks about stages of grief, but is it truly an effective tool to help navigate loss? The stages of grief can help understand what grief looks like but it doesnโt mean you can relate to it. Therefore, it is important to find your journey with grief and take your time to process the feelings.
Grief can overwhelm you, take over your thoughts or the way you interact with others. It is not pleasant and can feel never-ending. Even doing things that brought you joy feel dull in absence of your loss. You may find yourself just trying to get by one day at a time. You may not know what your life will look like without your person, or understand how things will ever go back to normal. In truth, things may never go back to how they used to be, but that just means you find your new normal. This shift in life is drastic, and the impact can be felt throughout your life. Grief changes who we are, how we love, and how we cope.
There are ways to lessen this burden. It may feel difficult to carry on with daily activities or even get out of bed at times, but know you are not alone. Others around you can help support you through this time, let your friends and family help. Sometimes, as simple as having someone be present in the same room as yourself can feel comforting. Find ways that feel most authentic to you with your grief, maybe by going through old pictures of your loved one, talking about memories, watching their favorite movie, or even journaling at the end of the night. All of this may seem daunting at first but once you overcome the shock of your loss, the feelings of guilt, anger, fear, and sadness will set in, so it can be comforting to explore ways to help ease the pain.
Lastly, learn to forgive yourself. We forget to be kind to ourselves and find ways to blame ourselves for things we could not have controlled. It is natural to run through the events leading up to the loss, but it is important to remember you have done nothing wrong. The grieving process can be long, filled with emotional setbacks but in the end, life takes over, and you begin to cope with the pain of loss over time.
Be patient with yourself, and your heart.
5 Ways to help deal with Grief
Give yourself time. Accept your feelings and know that grieving is a process.
Talk to others. Spend time with friends and family, donโt isolate yourself. Seeking support from others who are also grieving can help you feel more connected.
Take care of yourself. Exercise regularly, eat and get enough sleep to stay healthy.
Find Closure: Find a way to honour your loved one in a way that feels most authentic to you.
Return to your hobbies. Get back to the activities that bring you joy.
How to support someone who is grieving:
Donโt let fears about saying or doing the wrong thing stop you from reaching out.
Let your grieving loved one know that youโre there to listen.
Understand that everyone grieves differently and for different lengths of time.
Offer to help in practical ways like bringing them meals, offering to clean their home, or encouraging them to go on walks with you.
Maintain your support after the funeral.