Coping With Grief After Losing a Loved One

Have you recently lost someone you dearly loved? It maybe your spouse / partner, child, parent, sibling, extended family member, friend, or  a beloved pet? Grief after losing a loved one (also known as “bereavement”) can be one of the hardest experiences that a person can go through. To help you get through this difficult time, I have compiled the following tips to help when grieving the loss of someone you love:

• Talk to someone. Whether it be a friend, family member, therapist, or support group, being able to share your feelings with someone can make all the difference in the world. If the person you’re speaking with also knew your loved one, you can reminisce on special memories and talk about the qualities you loved most about them. Plus, sharing how you’re feeling and any challenges that you’ve been facing since their death can help you feel less alone, too.
• Prioritize self-care. When you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, it can be easy to forget to take care of yourself, but neglecting self-care can end up taking even more of a toll on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Try to eat a nutritious diet, exercise, shower, and get plenty of sleep each night.
• Turn hard days into something positive. After losing a loved one, certain days will be especially difficult: their birthday, the anniversary of their passing, holidays, etc. Rather than letting grief overcome you on those days, make an effort to honor your loved one and celebrate their life. You could cook their favorite foods, take part in an activity that they loved, or donate to a cause that was close to their heart.

Are You Coping With the Loss of a Loved One?

Bereavement after the loss of a friend or family member can be incredibly difficult, you may feel isolated and alone. There are supports to help with the grief journey.  A few options include: Hospice Grief Support Groups, some churches offer Grief-Share (a faith based support group), and some synagogues have Grief Groups.  

Another option is to meet with a licensed therapist, like a licensed mental health counselor, licensed clinical social worker or licensed marriage and family therapist that works with Grief and Loss matters. If you would like help navigating through your grief, contact me  today to schedule a therapy appointment.