Losing a loved one – how to cope with grief and loss
Grief is one of the strongest emotions one can feel. It’s like a band-aid being ripped away, taking the top layer of a family.
Coping with the death of a close friend or family member is likely to be one of the most difficult problems that many of us will encounter. Our grieving might be more profound when we lose a partner, sibling, or parent.
Although we recognise loss as a natural part of life, we might still be struck by shock and disorientation, leading to protracted bouts of melancholy or despair. When sadness takes over your life and you begin to feel hopeless, powerless, and useless, it’s essential to seek professional help in distinguishing between natural grieving and depression.
The grief usually fades with time, but mourning is a vital process in order to overcome these sentiments and continue to cherish the time you spent with your loved one.
Everyone reacts differently to death and develops their own grief coping techniques. According to research, most people can recover from loss on their own over time provided they have social support and good behaviours. It may take months or even a year to accept a loss. There is no such thing as a “normal” time for someone to grieve. Expect to go through phases of sorrow as well, since research indicates that most people do not go through stages in a sequential order.
Grieving people may find it beneficial to employ some of the following coping skills to help them process and come to terms with their loss:
- Acknowledge and accept your emotions. You may feel a variety of feelings, such as grief, rage, or weariness. All of these emotions are natural, and it is critical to understand when you are experiencing them.
- If you are feeling trapped or overwhelmed by your emotions, speaking with a certified psychologist or other mental health expert who can help you manage your feelings and discover solutions to get back on track may be beneficial.
- Reach out and assist people who are grieving. Spending time with the deceased’s loved ones can help everyone cope. These simple efforts, whether it’s sharing memories or listening to your loved one’s favourite music, may make a great impact for some. Helping others makes you feel better.
- Take good care of yourself and your loved ones. Eating good meals, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep may all benefit your physical and mental health. The body might suffer as a result of the mourning process. Check up on your loved ones to ensure they are taking the required healthy actions to preserve their health.
- Try mindfulness exercises, yoga, meditation or something as simple as a walk.
- Remember and celebrate the lives of those you love. Anniversaries of a loved one’s death can be heartbreaking for friends and family, but they can also be a time for reflection and honouring them. It’s possible that you’ll decide to collect funds for the deceased’s favourite charity, give a newborn a family name, or establish a garden in his or her honour. It is entirely up to you what you select, as long as it allows you to respect that special bond in a way that feels right to you.
Psychologists are educated to assist individuals in dealing with the dread, guilt, or worry that might accompany the loss of a loved one. Consult a psychologist or other competent mental health professional if you need assistance dealing with your sorrow or handling a loss.
Psychologists can assist people in developing resilience and coping techniques for dealing with sorrow. Practicing psychologists help individuals improve their lives by utilising a number of evidence-based therapies, the most prevalent of which being psychotherapy.
