One of the major lessons I learnt upon losing a loved one is that humans have limitless potential for adaptability. Even when times are tough, they find a way to fight through their fragile emotions and get back on their feet. But one other thing that dawned on me was how overwhelming it could be to deal with intense grief and sadness that comes after a loss.
Things to do and remember when coping with grief
1. Be gentle with yourself
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Grief can be exhausting. The one thing I learnt while plunging into an abyss of sadness is that it takes a toll on your physical health. Loss of energy, appetite, and other signs of poor health can creep up easily when you are dealing with grief. At such times, be gentle with yourself, limit straining your physical body to extremes, and take it easy.
2. Accept your feelings
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One of the most common feelings one may experience while dealing with grief is denial, which is completely normal. The whirlwind of tumultuous emotions that could go within your mind is the body’s natural way of reacting to grief. Accept all the emotions that hit you when you are processing grief and anguish. Be aware that it is completely normal and you will get over it with time.
3. Preserve memories
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No matter how dejected a picture of your loved one may make you, preserve it. Grief is temporary, but reminders of your loved ones, whom you have lost, could serve as permanent memories, helping you heal in the future.
4. Take care of your well-being
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Skipping meals, exercise, sleep, etc. – when coping with grief, it becomes pretty easy and convenient to stop taking care of your well-being. While it’s not simple to jump back to your routine, eating well, getting adequate sleep, and staying moderately active can help you deal with your emotions in a better way.
5. Get the support you need
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Do not be reluctant to speak up and seek the clinical help you may need. Asking for help is not a sign of vulnerability but courage. We feel that we are well-versed with how our brain works, but in an emotionally challenging situation, you may need professional support to deal with grief in a healthy way.
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