Loss is a universal human experience and we’re bringing this blog back as a reminder that there is support available when you need it most.
September 10 was World Suicide Prevention Day, while September 11 was the annual remembrance of 9/11, two really heavy days of awareness in one week.
These days bring up a good question: how should we cope with death?
It’s not pleasant to think of losing someone important in your life, but everyone experiences it at some point. If you feel a little lost as you go through a time of grief, and could use a little extra help, we hope this blog post has some tips to guide you through your healing journey.
What is Grief?
Grief is a natural response to loss. It’s the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone you love is taken away and the pain can feel overwhelming.
In fact, the reality is that you may experience all kinds of difficult and unexpected emotions, whether that be disbelief, shock, anger, disbelief, guilt, numbness, and profound sadness. The pain of grief can even disrupt your physical health, making it difficult to sleep, eat, make decisions, remain present in relationships, or even “think straight”.
While loss of a loved one may be what many of us would associate with grief, even smaller losses such as divorce, miscarriage, death of a pet, retirement, moving cities, switching careers/jobs, or medical diagnoses can result in grief as well.
One response you might have to the intense and overwhelming feeling of grief is feeling like you should be able to overcome it in a certain time-frame. This could cause you to avoid sitting with some of the negative emotions.
You might also feel like you have to fight your feelings. However, learning to sit with our feelings of grief can be helpful in our journey to process our experiences with death. Through grieving, you might find your own “closure”.
Beyond that, here are 5 practical strategies that you may find helpful during a time of loss:
5 Strategies for Coping with Grief and Loss
1. Share Your Feelings
Holding heavy emotions can feel overwhelming, and being able to share that burden with friends through conversation can help ease this pain. Let your friends know that advice/answers aren’t expected and that you simply wish to share emotions, or perhaps even memories, regarding the person you’ve lost.
Beyond talking to a friend or family member, taking to a completely unbiased party, like a therapist, can be so important during the healing process. Try therapy at Dóchas Psychological Services.
2. Keep a Grief Journal
Processing grief through writing down one’s thoughts and/or feelings can not only help with alleviating pain but also through tracking your progression through the grieving process. This means that you’ll be able to look back and see how your perspective on the loss has changed. Read more about the benefits of journalling.
3. Explore Creativity
The arts, whether in the form of crafts, drawing, music, etc., are beautiful forms of expression through which you may find a space to process overwhelming emotions while also establishing new connections with yourself and the world around you.
The Allied Arts Council of Spruce Grove has great Adult Art Classes that can be an awesome starting point for getting out of the house and being creative.
4. Schedule Time to Grieve
While it might seem counterintuitive, purposefully choosing to set aside time to process grief (which might mean giving yourself permission to cry or display strong emotions) creates a space in which you are free to grieve without fear of self-judgment or shame.
5. Join a Grief Support Group
Being around others who have also recently experienced a major loss can help you share the burden of grief. If your loved one died of a specific illness, there might be a local support group for those who have lost someone to that specific disease.
Is There a “Right” Way to Grieve?
Whatever type of loss you’ve suffered, it’s important to understand that there’s no right or wrong way to grieve.
How you grieve depends on many factors, including your personality and coping style, your life experiences, your faith, and how significant the loss was to you.
However, we hope that this article has provided a number of healthy ways to cope, to ease your sadness and help you come to terms with your loss, find new meaning, and eventually move on with your life.
Sometimes you may feel you need a little extra help from a professional as you go through this hard experience in your life. If that feels like you, our team is here to help. Learn more about how we can help you through your mental health journey on our website, or contact us with your specific questions.
Not Sure Where to Start with Therapy?
Take the Dóchas Compass (1–2 minute quiz) and we’ll guide you toward the best fit therapist for you.
If you already know what you’re looking for, you can book an appointment online (in-person in Spruce Grove or virtual across Alberta) or call us at 780-446-0300.
About Dóchas Psychological
Dóchas Psychological Services is a well-established and trusted therapy clinic located in Spruce Grove, Alberta. At Dóchas we value the idea that everyone deserves a safe space. Through connection and education, our team works hard to build a trustworthy relationship with each of our clients. It is our goal to create a community for our clients to feel like they belong.
Disclaimer
Information provided through Dóchas Psychological Services blogs or vlogs is meant for educational purposes only. They are NOT medical or mental health advice. You can read more about our disclaimer here.
