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No person lives forever. However, that doesn’t mean those left behind shouldn’t grieve. Grieving is natural because the death of a loved one qualifies as one of the most stressful events in a person’s life. The pain a person feels when they lose a loved one can be overwhelming.
This person might find they are angry at the person who left them or they might be shocked this individual went so suddenly. Some people fall into depression and find they need depression treatment in Orange County. Every person responds differently to this major life event. However, there are certain strategies any person can use when faced with grief and a loss of this magnitude.
Strategies for Navigating Grief and Loss
Let Emotions Out
People often want to push the feelings of loss aside following the death of a loved one. Allowing the feelings to flow actually helps with the healing process. Holding everything inside can actually make the pain stick around longer. Name emotions and feel them. Doing so allows a person to grieve and move on rather than getting stuck.
People respond differently to grief. Some people might feel lonely while another person feels relief. Many people experience several emotions at the same time. No two people grieve the same, so a person needs to remember their experience is unique and allow themselves to feel, even if others might say their feelings are wrong.
Time Helps
Time doesn’t heal all wounds, but it helps ease them. Some people recover from the loss of a loved one in a matter of weeks. For other people, it takes months or years to recover. There is no set time for a person to grieve.
Furthermore, grief may come and go. People need to expect this and know there may be bad days after good ones. These bad days may persist for years, although they do typically happen less often.
Talk with Others
Although it may be difficult to be around other people after the loss of a loved one, people need human interaction. Every person has experienced grief at some point in their lives and can empathize with the loss of a loved one. Talking about this loss and the accompanying feelings can help a person process their grief and come to terms with the loss. Ask for help when needed or just spend time in their presence. Doing so will provide peace during a difficult time in life.
Remember the Good Times
Talk about the one who has passed. Laugh about their quirks and share fun memories about them. Bring them to life for others by talking about them as often as possible. Think about the positive things that have come from knowing this individual and how life would have been different without them. Start listening to their favorite songs or do something they always wanted to do. While they are no longer physically here, they can still be present in other ways.
Talk with a Professional
If the grief seems overwhelming and daily life is difficult, seek professional help. Start with the primary care provider. They can recommend things to help ease the grief. If this doesn’t work, talk with a counselor or join a support group. Talking is of great help when adjusting to the loss of a loved one.
A person needs to practice self-care when they are grieving. Take a shower even when doing so seems too hard. Get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy diet. Doing so can help a person grieve and move forward with life. This won’t mean the person who passed wasn’t important. It simply means those left behind should make the most of every minute, because their time may be coming soon.
