There’s no getting away from it, at some point in life we will all experience loss and grief. Whether it is the loss of a beloved pet, the death of a parent or the end of a marriage or other relationship, loss and grief are a part of life.
Everyone responds to grief and loss differently. Some of us reach out to others to help us through our difficult time, some of us withdraw and lick our wounds like a wounded animal. Some of us pretend there is no loss or it has no impact on our day to day life.
No matter how you respond to a loss, there are some things you can do to manage the grief and to help yourself navigate through it. You may have heard of the 5 stages of grief – Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance – Most people do not go through each stage one by one, they bounce back and forth between the stages until they finally come to acceptance. These steps will help you on your journey to acceptance.
Managing Grief
Rest – Be sure to get the rest you need while going through the initial stages of loss. Many people find it difficult to sleep so if you can take naps or sleep in when you finally do get to sleep. Don’t feel guilty for taking more time to get the rest you need.
Cry – If you feel the need to cry go ahead and let it out. If crying isn’t your thing, scream into a pillow or whatever works best for you. A good cry can be incredibly cathartic so don’t try to stuff your tears away.
Eat – Many people forget to eat during times of intense stress so be sure to make a point to eat healthy during your grief. Consider taking a multi vitamin to make up for any nutrients you might be missing during this time.
Talk – If you have a support network of friends now is a great time to lean on them. Talk through your feelings with a trusted and supportive friend.
Alcohol – Avoid using drugs or alcohol to numb the pain you are feeling.
Counseling – See the help of a professional counselor or therapist to help you during this dark time. A therapist can help you through the changes taking place and can help by offering ways to work through your pain and grief.