Everyone experiences grief. Grief is a deeply personal experience, there is no ‘right way’ to grieve, it is a journey you must undertake, a process you have to work through. It may feel like you are the only person in the world who is feeling the way you do but you are not alone.
Here I’ve put together some tips to help you work through the grieving process and how to make it more manageable.
Express Your Grief
You may feel that you want to hide from your emotions, that they are too painful to feel. However, the best way to process the loss of your loved one is to express your feelings. If you need to scream, cry or even shout then know that it is ok to do that. Try talking to a friend or family member about how you feel, don’t keep those emotions bottled up inside, it is much better to get them off your chest than repress them.
Some people turn to journaling, or other creative outlets such as painting or writing as a way to channel their thoughts and feelings.
Pace Yourself
It is essential to give yourself time and space in order to deal with your loss. Being busy can seem like the perfect way to block out everything your feeling. However, overextending yourself can leave you feeling over wrung and exhausted.
Processing your loss takes a lot of energy, both mentally and physically, don’t be afraid to give yourself a break. Make sure you take the time to rest and do something that relaxes you.
Acknowledgement
There is no right way to grieve, you will experience feelings and thoughts that may surprise you. It’s crucial to acknowledge those feelings and learn to accept them. Through experiencing these emotions, you will be able to move through your grief and begin the healing process.
Numbness can be a common emotion throughout this time, it can be hard to allow yourself to feel anything or to take joy in from the things that you normally feel happy doing. Remember this is temporary and soon you will be able to enjoy those things once again.
You should not feel guilty for experiencing happiness or having fun. Laughter is the best medicine for grief and after all I am sure your loved one wouldn’t want you to be unhappy.
Accept Help
If you are struggling, know that it is ok to accept help. This can come in the form of your own support system e.g. family and friends or if needed a counsellor. Sometimes grief can feel overwhelming, it can seem too heavy to cope with.
There are helplines dedicated to bereavement that can help you to discuss your emotions and guide through the process of managing your grief.
Helplines
- Cruse Bereavement Care: 0808 808 1677
- The Bereavement Trust: 0800 435 455
