6 Tips for Overcoming Grief
Facing the loss of a loved one and overcoming grief is one of the most difficult tests you can encounter in your life. Having to accept that someone you love is no longer physically present is a blow to your sense of reality, causing confusion and almost always making you fall into long periods of depression and sadness.
We all have different ways of coping with the death of a loved one, and having a good support network can be the key to overcoming the pain of grief.
According to research, being in a supportive social environment and maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps people overcome grief more effectively than people without such surroundings. But depending on the magnitude of the impact of the loss, as well as the characteristics person who is grieving, recovery can take months or even years.
It’s important to remember that grief has emotional and physical symptoms. People who are grieving usually suffer from extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, and reduced sexual desire. If your grieving process is more complex and includes other symptoms in addition to depression, you should seek help from a professional psychologist. A skilled professional in this field can help determine the best course of action for you to overcome your grief.
If you’re going through the difficult process of losing a loved one, we invite you to consider the following recommendations that can help you accept your loss and regain the normal rhythm of your life.
Time
Time is critical in overcoming grief. Some people will take longer than others, but everyone needs to remember that it takes time to get used to the notion that a person is gone and we have to go on with our lives.
Also See: Time Thieves – How to Get Rid of Them
Accept that grieving is okay
The pain you feel after a loss is unavoidable, and it carries with it a set of emotions that can make you feel physically ill. But this is a normal part of the process and it can only be overcome gradually. Make sure you resist assigning blame or repressing your feelings as you go through this painful phase.
Express your feelings
There will always be someone willing to listen and share the pain felt by the absence of your loved one. Talking about what happened and all the emotions that loss brings is a way to accept that your loved one is gone, and you’ll soon be able to embrace your happy memories.
But if you repress those feelings with sadness and frustration, you can become isolated, which will only amplify your grief and push the people who support you away.
Remember that life goes on
Take care of your health and that of your family
The deep pain caused by the loss of a loved one can make you forget about important factors like good nutrition, regular exercise, and other healthy habits that help you maintain a good quality of life. It’s important to conserve those good habits because they help ease your depression and avoid serious illnesses.
Overcoming grief by offering support
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Fernańdez-Alcántara, M., García-Caro, M. P., Pérez-Marfil, M. N., Hueso-Montoro, C., Laynez-Rubio, C., & Cruz-Quintana, F. (2016). Feelings of loss and grief in parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research in Developmental Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2016.05.007
