5 ways to healthily manage grief

5 ways to healthily manage grief

Grieving is a deeply personal experience that follows the loss of someone or something important. It brings out a huge a range of emotions and can have a serious impact on someones mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Understanding the grieving process and finding healthy ways to cope with it is an essential part of healing and learning to live again.

Loss isn’t easy for anyone, there isn’t a single person who wouldn’t struggle with losing a loved one. Sadly it is a human process and happens to everyone, we will all experience grief one day. If I was to sit typing this and put that it’s an easy process then I would be lying. It’s a pain like no other and the only way to heal is through time and acceptance.

I lost a lot of loved ones in a short space of time but the hardest one for me was losing my mum very suddenly. The loss of her has impacted my health hugely and without the support network I have had I would have struggled a lot more than I already have. I guess I am talking through personal experience here.

They say there are stages of 5 stages of grief a person will go through. These stages aren’t always in the same order as the grieving process isn’t linear. Everyone grieves differently and that is okay.

5 stages of grief

1. Denial: Initially, the individual may deny the reality of the situation, feeling shock and numbness.
2. Anger: As the masking effects of denial and isolation begin to wear, the individual becomes frustrated, especially as they realise their loss.
3. Bargaining: The person may start to bargain in an attempt to prevent the loss from happening.
4. Depression: Overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, frustration, bitterness, and self-pity may set in.
5. Acceptance: Finally, the individual comes to terms with the reality of the situation, finding a way to confront the loss.

5 ways to healthily manage grief

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings: It’s important to recognise and accept your feelings of grief. Allow yourself to experience the emotions and understand that it’s a natural part of the healing process. Do not feel like it’s bad that you are upset, angry or numb etc. These feelings are natural, with time they’ll pass and the pain will become a lot more bearable to a point where you won’t feel so lost when you think of that loved one. You will be fond of the memories and grateful for the time spent.
2. Seek Support: Surround yourself with a supportive network of family, friends, or a professional therapist. Sharing your feelings with others can provide comfort and help you cope with the grieving process. It is true what they say about not suffering alone, you shouldn’t. Surround yourself with people you know will understand and support you.
3. Take Care of Yourself: Engage in self-care activities such as exercising, proper nutritional meals, and all the rest your mind and body needs. Taking care of your physical well-being can positively impact your emotional state during a difficult time.
4. Create Rituals: Establishing meaningful rituals or activities in honour of your loved one can provide a sense of connection and an opportunity to commemorate their life.
5. Allow Time for Healing: Grieving is a process that takes time. Be patient with yourself and understand that healing happens gradually. Give yourself permission to grieve at your own pace. As mentioned before, grieving is not linear. It can be different for everyone.