Coping with loss and grief is like a dagger through the heart. It is challenging, devastating and natural.
How do you cope with this extreme sadness – the sense of loss and emptiness, a mind-numbing void?
Mourning is the key to unlocking this pain. It allows us to recover from the loss of a loved one so that we can resume living. Support those grieving, listen, ask questions, and share lots of memories.
Support allows those in mourning to acknowledge and accept the sense of loss and emptiness. And those in grief realise that the many memories they have will keep their love alive.
There are Numerous times in Life when One might Feel Grief and Battle Coping With Loss –
- the loss of a friendship
- estranged children
- the loss of a job
- miscarriage
- the death of a pet
- divorce
- terminal illness
- loss of finances and
- retirement
These all cause extreme feelings of anguish and emptiness. During one’s life, we’re all likely to experience coping with loss and grief in one way or another.
It’s the nature of life. Depending on your levels of grief you may feel anger, disbelief or thankfulness that your losses are less than what others experience.
Coping with Loss and Symptoms of Grief
- Shock and disbelief. So even if you expect death, one still feels shocked when loved ones pass away
- Sadness – feelings of emptiness, despair and loneliness
- Guilt – one often feels guilty at the relief associated with the loved one’s death. And this is particularly the case if the sickbed had been long, painful, and physically draining. Perhaps too, there is regret at things unsaid or even said
- Anger towards the doctors, God, even towards the person who died for leaving you
- Fear and anxiety at facing the future alone
- Physical symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, lowered immunity, weight loss, and insomnia
Professional help is needed if the grief lasts so long that the grieving person cannot resume life., which is especially important for those suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts.
Hindrances to the Healing Process
- Overwork, believing it will take your mind off the loss and grief
- Drug and alcohol abuse in the hope that it will deaden the pain
- Compulsive behaviour – becoming rigid and machine-like in your job, or usual household chores.
- Avoiding having and feeling emotions. Even pretending that you’re over it when you aren’t
Helping the Healing Process When Coping with Loss
- Allow yourself time. However, there is no time limit to mourning or grieving. Each person will handle grief individually and differently. Grieving is a natural part of healing
- Express your feelings, which is both natural and necessary. In addition, talking about your loss, and even writing your feelings and thoughts in a journal, will all help
- Have a good cry. Crying provides release
- Look to others for support. Family, friends, support groups, even professional grief counsellors, can all play a significant part in the process of healing
- Don’t make major decisions at this time. Avoid things like moving house, selling a house or changing jobs until emotions are more stable
- Look after yourself. Get enough sleep. Care for a pet – it works wonders
Time eases the pain, but it doesn’t cure. Things will never be the same again, but they will get brighter, and you will be happy again.
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