Losing someone we love is one of the biggest challenges which life throws at us. Grief can affect individuals in a variety of ways from triggering anxiety, feelings of uncertainty, intense guilt to lifestyle changes such as difficulty in eating, sleeping, and doing the simplest of tasks each day. While dealing with grief is understandably hard, this article with Mind & Body Complete explores some useful coping strategies one can employ to manage their emotions and help themselves and those around them in this time of need.
Take Time to Introspect
The days following your loved ones passing are usually the hardest. In that time, it can be natural to feel that nothing around you makes sense. In addition, you may experience constant mood swings leading you to feel angry at one moment and guilty the next.
During this phase, it is important to not be too hard on yourself as there is no right or wrong way to feel. The emotions you experience are natural ways grief presents itself, and rather than try to control them you could take time to introspect and understand its causes. Once you understand your emotions will it be possible to take meaningful steps to manage them.
For instance, if your sadness stems from the fact that you couldn’t speak to your loved one before their passing, you could start writing a journal or letters as a symbolic way to connect with them.
Share Your Grief
Isolation can make dealing with grief more difficult, as it results in an individual dwelling on the same thoughts in a loop which ultimately can lead to greater stress, anxiety, and other health issues. As reported by Grief Recovery Center, sharing your emotions with others is one of the healthiest ways to deal with grief for two major reasons:
- It helps to overcome loneliness and enables you to have a social support system to rely on in times of need.
- For those dealing with bereavement for the first time, sharing their grief can help gain clarity regarding managing emotions, what to expect in the future and how to handle responsibilities.
Find Outlets to Help You Cope
In addition to seeking support from those around you, explore more outlets that help you cope with grief, such as:
- Rely on Your Faith: If you are religious, following its rituals can help you find peace, closure, and comfort. Additionally, you can participate in other spiritual activities such as meditation, prayer, and visiting a place of worship.
- Adopt a Pet: Pets are a bundle of joy that bring a sense of positivity to everyone around them. As reported by Help Guide, pets can help individuals overcome loneliness, adopt a healthier lifestyle and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
- Make Changes: The experience of losing a loved one can serve as a wake-up call for individuals, making them pause and reflect on how they’re living their own life. You can expect questions such as – am I living my life to the fullest potential? Am I happy with what I’ve accomplished? And more to pop in your mind. These questions can also be the first step towards finding a new purpose in life, such as:
- Prioritizing spending time with family. This can involve adopting a healthier lifestyle, supporting members in their personal endeavors, and working towards becoming the best version of yourself.
- Making a career change to pursue goals that bring you a greater sense of fulfillment. This could mean making the switch from being an employee to an entrepreneur, as it can provide you with greater control over balancing work and family responsibilities. If you do pursue this path, remember to work with a local business lawyer in your area so that you are set up correctly, and/or the Small Business Administration.
While there is no fixed way to deal with grief, nor timeline, by trying one or more of the suggestions mentioned above, you might find a way that helps attain closure and a new purpose that gives your life meaning.
Guest article by Camille Johnson
