Coping with Grief

The passing of a loved one is always a difficult situation, even if the death was an expected occurrence. Everyone copes with this unfortunate aspect of life in different ways, and grief is one such reaction. Grief should not be mistaken for an illness, rather a rational emotional response that takes place as we try to understand how the deceased will be missed and how we move forward without the person in our lives.

For some, the period of grieving may be relatively short. For others, it can take a considerable amount of time and support. Regardless, in any instance there is no designated manner in which one should grieve, but there are things you can do to help the process.

 

 

The signs and reactions

Grief can take on many different forms as it varies from person to person. Some of the particular signs and reactions of grief include:

  • Sadness
  • Persistent crying
  • Anger, guilt or shock
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Social withdrawal
  • Concentration problems
  • Sleep issues
  • General apathy
  • A feeling of hopelessness
  • Behavioural or mood changes
  • An increase in consumption of alcohol, drug use, or smoking
  • Thoughts of suicide and self-harm

If at any stage these problems become self-evident in disrupting the way you live your life and engage with others, or you notice these signs disrupting someone else who has recently lost a loved one, the need for professional help and support is paramount. If left unattended, the long-term consequences of ongoing grief can be debilitating.

 

 

 

Coping strategies

If you are struggling to manage your grief, consider these strategies to cope:

  • Self-care is important: maintain a normal, balanced lifestyle and take care of your health. Ensure you are eating and resting properly, keeping active and avoiding alcoholic or recreational substances.
  • Remain engaged: stay in touch with those around you and continue to pursue interests and hobbies that you normally enjoy.
  • Express yourself: grieve in front of friends, family or a professional to express your feelings. Allow others to help you by communicating with them.
  • Avoid life’s pressures: take the time you need and don’t be influenced by external factors, societal pressure or any sense of guilt. Moving on is a normal part of the cycle but let it happen naturally. Refrain from any major life decisions until you are in a clear frame of mind.
  • Find your own way to remember: some people like to hold onto cherished possessions of the deceased, whereas others need some space to initially reflect. Do what feels right to help you cope.
  • Remain strong: there may be times where you fall back into a sense of grieving, or an event could trigger certain memories of the loved one. Stop and breathe. These moments may leave you sad or stressed but being prepared, as well as keeping strong, will help you get through it. After all, while at the time it might not feel like it, but there are plenty of bright days ahead.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *