How to manage grief by making healthy choices, grieving is a personal process where each individual comes to terms with loss and find reasons to keep moving forward.

Written Camille Johnson created Bereaver after she went through the ups and downs of the bereavement process herself following the loss of her parents and husband. With the help of her friend who was also experiencing a loss of her own, she learned how to grieve the healthy way, and she wants to share that with others. There is no one way to grieve, but it is important to do it in a way that supports your physical and mental health throughout.

For those who are currently struggling to cope with grief. Heart@Work shares the following guidance to come to terms with the situation and feel better.

Acknowledge Your Grief

The death of a loved one or a pet can cause a sudden and major change in your life. Adapting to this change can understandably be hard as they would’ve played an integral part of your daily routine, which now cannot be replicated.

Denial is a common emotion one feels in the immediate aftermath of a loss. It is a natural defense mechanism, allowing us the time to come to terms with the situation without the burden of feeling numerous emotions at once. But, while denial in the short term protects us from being overwhelmed, it is important to start taking small steps forward.

The first step involves accepting the loss, while this is much harder to do than it sounds, it is important for you to come to terms with the reality of the situation. 

Don’t Try to Withhold Emotions

While we are all aware of the five stages of grief, they don’t always present themselves in a phased manner. Grief can lead to you experiencing intense emotions such as an urge to cry, feeling unmotivated towards the simplest of tasks, being angry at yourself and others, and more. Rather than suppressing these emotions, find a safe space to express them. As each individual is different, Psychology Today lists a few ways you can experiment with to express your emotions:

• Write a journal
• Call a friend
• Create a collage of pictures

Seek Support from Others

 As reported by TAPS, social support plays a key role in helping to overcome grief. As we are surrounded by others who are empathetic, it becomes easier to express and have conversations about the loss. Additionally, your friends and family can help you overcome doubts, regrets, and concerns by providing you with a perspective other than your own.

 Moreover, experiencing a loss for the first time can be difficult, but being around others who have an understanding of how to deal with grief can help you formulate healthier ways to manage your emotions.

 Reaching out can be difficult for a lot of individuals, as they often feel they’ll be acting as a burden on others. However, in reality, those that care about you will wholeheartedly provide support, and comfort, which will not only help you overcome loneliness but regain the strength to form new routines and goals.

 Focus on Your Health, by Making Healthy Choices

 Experiencing a loss can often lead to the introspection of one’s own life and decisions. The realization of one’s mortality is a powerful emotion that can prompt you to make changes such as: 

• Improving your Physical Health: This involves partaking in an active lifestyle which includes outdoor activities, exercising, playing sports, etc. In addition to the physical benefits, these activities will help disassociate from stress and regain control of your emotions.
• Improving your Mental Health: The first step includes finding ways to manage your stress and emotions so they don’t take control over your thinking. Stress management techniques like deep breathing, identifying your triggers, and talking yourself through a thought train can help you reduce stress. However, activities like meditation and yoga or time spent with a support group can provide long-term benefits.

 Dealing with grief is never easy, but the process becomes easier with the support of those around you who can provide the strength needed to keep moving forward.

Heart@Work has always been about Kindness, understanding that every human action has a spiritual impact on the world. Read more informative articles on the blog today!

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