The Best Way to Cope with Loss

No one likes to think about the loss of a loved one. However, as our loved ones age, this is often inevitable.

Coping with a loss is never easy and the process is different for everyone. With that being said, there are some tips that can be used to help you get through the situation a lot easier.

Here is how to cope with your loss the right way.

How to Grieve

There is no right or wrong way when it comes to the grieving process. Everyone has their special way of dealing with loss.

One thing is certain is that refusing to acknowledge what you are feeling will not help you to heal faster. You need to face what has happened to properly grieve and heal from it.

Feeling frightened, lonely, sad, and afraid are all normal feelings. Crying is also normal. If you do not feel like crying, that is also normal. Everyone experiences grief in their own way and in their own time.

Take Care of Yourself

Often when someone is going through grief taking care of themselves is the last thing on their mind. If you are one of these people you need to consciously make an effort to take care of yourself.

Take some time off work if you have to. Take long walks by yourself to relax.

Nourish your body as well. You still need to eat and to sleep. Make sure that you are getting enough rest whenever possible.

The Stages of Grief

There are several stages of grief that you are likely to go through. However, the five stages that will be discussed here are the most common and are a natural part of the grieving process.

Denying the Situation

The first stage of the grieving process is denial. You are likely to find yourself thinking that this cannot possibly be happening.

Even more importantly you may be thinking that it cannot happen to you. These feelings are normal and will subside over time.

Feelings of Anger

The next stage in the process is feelings of anger. You may be angry that this is happening to you and that it happened to your loved one.

You may feel angry at yourself, and even angry at your loved one.

Bargaining for a Change

Often when people are going through grief and they are in this third stage they start bargaining with a higher power and asking to reverse the situation. This is also normal.

Feeling Depressed

Depression is often the one feeling that you cannot avoid when you are going through grief. Feeling depressed and not wanting to do anything except but stay by yourself or stay inside is often one of the reactions to a loss. This is all-natural and normal.

You will need to fight these feelings to prevent them from becoming more serious

Acceptance of the Situation

The final stage of grief is acceptance of the situation. Accepting the situation means that you acknowledge what has happened and have found a way to be at peace with it.

Remember there is no timeline for how you go through the grieving process.

Get Support

If you're having problems coping with your grief and your loss then you should seek support. You can seek support in the form of a trusted friend or a family member who is also going through the same situation as well.

If you do not have this kind of support readily available to you, seeking professional help is always a choice. Is important for you to know that seeking help in any way does not mean that you are weak or that you will always need this kind of help.

Going through loss is difficult and if you find yourself getting worse instead of better as the days go by, then it may be time to talk to a professional.

Try Journaling

One of the things you can do is to journal your feelings and thoughts. Even if you do get therapy and get somebody to help you, it is still a good idea for you to get your thoughts out of your head and on paper.

You can pick a specific time each morning to journal or journal! whenever you have free time. When you are writing in your journal, pretend that you are talking to a friend.

This will make it easier for you to write what you are truly feeling. You can take what you have written in your journal to your professional therapy sessions if you choose. They will make a great vantage point from which you can start discussions with your therapist

Say a Proper Goodbye

One part of the grieving process that you must be a present for is saying a proper goodbye. No matter how you may be feeling, it is often in your best interest for you to be at the funeral or memorial service of your loved life.

Avoiding this step altogether only keeps you in denial longer and prolongs your grief. While it may be too much for you to help with funeral preparations such as choosing flowers, a casket, or even glass urns, being present at the actual goodbye ceremony is critical to your healing.

Take Your Time

Having to cope with loss is never easy. It is something that you will need to work through over time.

There is no rush even if you see other members of your family or friends getting through grief at a quicker rate.

Remember that what is important is how you cope with loss, you are an individual and how you deal with loss is unique to you. If you find that coping with your loss has to come overwhelming, the best thing you can do is to seek help from a professional.