Grief and Healing

First of all, remember that everybody grieves differently. You may be feeling and acting completely differently to someone else that you know. That is okay and that is normal. Just be yourself and don’t compare yourself to others. Be kind and gentle to yourself, as you are the only person who knows what is best for you right now.

First of all, remember that everybody grieves differently. You may be feeling and acting completely differently to someone else that you know. That is okay and that is normal. Just be yourself and don’t compare yourself to others. Be kind and gentle to yourself, as you are the only person who knows what is best for you right now.

The ultimate goal of grief and mourning is to take you beyond your initial reactions to the loss. The therapeutic purpose of grief and mourning is to get you to the place where you can live with the loss in a healthy way.

What is grief ?

Grief is a natural reaction to loss. Someone experiencing grief usually moves through a series of emotional stages, such as shock, numbness, guilt, anger and denial. And physical responses are typical also. They can include: sleeplessness, inability to eat or concentrate, lack of energy, and lack of interest in activities previously enjoyed.

The grieving process

As the days, weeks and months go by, the person who is experiencing loss moves through emotional and physical reactions that normally lead toward acceptance, healing and getting on with life as fully as possible.

Everyone is unique and experiences these stages differently. Time is an important roll in this process, but remember there is no set time limit to find acceptance.

Grief counseling

Grief counseling is a form of therapy that helps people cope with grief and mourning. Grief counselors feel that everyone experiences and expresses grief in their own way, often shaped by culture. They believe that it is not uncommon for a person to withdraw from their friends and family and feel helpless; some might be angry and want to take action.

Helping yourself heal

Saddness is the overwhelming emotion we feel when we experience death. It is extremely important to seek help if you need it. Surround yourself with support. This may be in the form of support groups, friends, or a therapist. Talk about how you feel. Grief is a process, not an event.

Accepting a loss

Accepting a loss doesn’t have to mean that you are suddenly at ease and content. It can simply mean that your emotions are finally tolerable. Be easy on yourself. There is no set time frame to find your new normal.